JLPT N2 Upper Intermediate
切ない
Painful, bittersweet sadness or longing
Readings
Other forms
切なさ noun
切なく adverb
切なかった past tense
I-adjective
Bittersweet / Heart-wrenching
Describes an emotional pain so intense it feels physically constricting, often associated with unrequited love or longing.
Example
卒業式 で 昔 の 友達 に 会って 、 切ない 気持ち に なった 。
I saw my old friends at the graduation ceremony and felt a poignant mix of emotions.
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