失恋

しつれん

broken heart, unrequited love

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"失恋" (しつれん) specifically refers to the experience of a broken heart or unrequited love. It is commonly used to describe the emotional pain after a romantic relationship ends or when love is not reciprocated.

Emotional Context

When people use "失恋," they often imply a significant emotional impact, such as sadness or disappointment. It is a common topic in conversations about relationships, especially when discussing feelings or recovery from a breakup.

Common Collocations

  • 失恋する: to experience a heartbreak
  • 失恋の痛み: the pain of a broken heart
  • 失恋から立ち直る: to recover from a heartbreak

These phrases are frequently used in everyday conversation and media.

Register and Politeness

"失恋" is neutral in formality and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. It is appropriate for conversations among friends as well as in written texts like novels or articles.

Learner Tips

A common mistake is confusing "失恋" with "失敗" (failure) or other words related to failure. Remember, "失恋" is specifically about love and relationships, not general failure. Use it when talking about romantic disappointment to sound natural.

Example Sentences

かれはしつれんしてからげんきがなくなった。

He has been down since his heartbreak.

しつれんのいたみをのりこえるのはかんたんではない。

Overcoming the pain of a broken heart is not easy.

かのじょはしつれんしたともだちをなぐさめるためにはなしをきいた。

She listened to her friend who had a broken heart to comfort her.