懐かしい
なつかしい·natsukashii
Meaning
nostalgic; dear to one's heart; fondly remembered
Nuance & Usage
懐かしい describes the feeling of warm nostalgia — a longing for something from the past that brings comfort and fond memories. Unlike English "nostalgic," which can have a melancholic tone, 懐かしい is generally warm and positive. 懐かしい音楽 (nostalgic music), 懐かしい顔 (a familiar face from the past), 懐かしい味がする (it tastes nostalgic — like something from childhood) are common uses. The exclamation 懐かしい！ is a spontaneous, genuine expression of delight upon encountering something from one's past.
Common Mistakes
Learners often translate 懐かしい only as "nostalgic" but it's more active and warm — closer to "it brings back memories" or "I've missed this." It cannot be used for future longing (for that, use 恋しい, koishii — to miss, pine for). 懐かしく思う (to think of fondly/with nostalgia) and 懐かしさを感じる (to feel nostalgia) are useful extensions. Don't confuse 懐かしい (dear, nostalgic) with 古い (furui — old) or 昔の (mukashi no — from the past, without the emotional warmth).
Example Sentences (3)
久しぶりに故郷に帰ると、懐かしい匂いがした。
ひさしぶりにこきょうにかえると、なつかしいにおいがした。
When I returned to my hometown after a long time, there was a nostalgic smell.
昔の写真を見たら、懐かしくて涙が出そうになった。
むかしのしゃしんをみたら、なつかしくてなみだがでそうになった。
When I looked at old photos, the nostalgia almost brought me to tears.
「懐かしい！中学の時に流行った曲だ！」と彼女は叫んだ。
「なつかしい！ちゅうがくのときにはやったきょくだ！」とかのじょはさけんだ。
"I remember this! It was popular when we were in middle school!" she exclaimed.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N24 questionsTest your knowledge of 懐かしい with 4 different question types.
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