wretched

(leftheart) + (admit defeat / visit)
★★☆☆☆
11 strokes

Onyomi

SAN, ZAN

Mnemonic

SANta claus's heart admits defeat when tarZAN breaks up with him (for good this time). He feels wretched!

Kunyomi

みじ*め ( ) pathetic. Unlike the related term 哀れ(あわれ), 惨め is a pretty un-sympathetic word you use for some poor schmuck who is in a wretched state but, you know, you couldn’t imagine them ever being happy anyway.
★☆☆☆☆

Jukugo

惨事(さんじ)

tragedy ★☆☆☆☆
(wretched) + (action/ incident) = 惨事 (tragedy)

a tragedy (BOOBOO: not as in a sad play, but as in someone's sister died while giving birth. A dramatic tragedy is 悲劇 (ひげき) )

悲惨(ひさん)

terrible ☆☆☆☆☆
(sad) + (wretched) = 悲惨 ( terrible)

terrible, harrowing, tragic. Usually used not about a single person’s misfortune but like the tragic cost of war, the terrible catastrophe that befell the small town in Godzilla’s path, etc.

Lookalikes

Meaning Hint Radical
master a skill PERSON
admit defeat / visit MOOCOW
wretched HEART

The PERSON is a master at making shoes,

but the MOOCOW defeats you.

The wretched HEART is singing the blues.

Synonyms

pathos, misery, pitifulness
かわいいそうな 哀れな    惨めな    哀愁    心細い    悲惨な