Meaning and Usage
"悲劇" (ひげき) means "tragedy" and refers to sad, unfortunate events or stories, often involving suffering or loss. It is commonly used in literature, movies, and everyday conversation to describe serious misfortunes.
Common Contexts
You will often see "悲劇" used to describe tragic events in families, history, or personal lives. It can describe both real-life events and fictional stories.
Collocations and Patterns
- 悲劇が起こる (a tragedy occurs): used to report or describe tragic events.
- 悲劇的な結末 (tragic ending): describes the sad conclusion of a story or event.
- 悲劇の主人公 (tragic protagonist): refers to the main character in a tragedy.
Register and Nuance
"悲劇" is a neutral term, suitable for formal and informal contexts. It conveys seriousness and emotional weight.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse "悲劇" with "悲しい" (sad). "悲劇" refers to the event or story itself, while "悲しい" describes the feeling. Use "悲劇" when talking about the overall tragic situation or narrative.