(いつく)しみ

いつくしみ
noun
compassion; affection; tender love
1. compassion; affection; tender love
Deep, warm feelings of love and care directed toward someone or something, especially those who are weaker or in need of protection. Carries a gentler, more nurturing nuance than 愛.
(はは)(いつく)しみに()ちた眼差(まなざ)し。
A mother's gaze filled with tender love.
彼女(かのじょ)動物(どうぶつ)(ふか)(いつく)しみを()っている。
She has a deep compassion for animals.
祖母(そぼ)(まご)たちに()しみない(いつく)しみを(そそ)いで(そだ)てた。
My grandmother raised her grandchildren with unstinting love and compassion.

RELATED VERB:
(いつく)しむ means "to love tenderly, to cherish, to show compassion."

USAGE:
(いつく)しみ has a literary, somewhat elevated tone. It is often used in the context of parental love, religious compassion, or care for the vulnerable.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (いつく)しみを()めて (with affection, with tenderness)
  • (いつく)しみの(こころ) (a compassionate heart)
  • (いつく)しみに()ちた (filled with compassion)
  • (いつく)しみを(そそ)ぐ (to shower with tender love)