哀鴻遍野
Reading: あいこうへんや
Meaning: refugees scattered across the land; widespread suffering
Listen to pronunciation
Example Sentence
Due to the war, the country fell into a state of widespread devastation.
Usage Notes
Literally 'mourning geese filling the fields', this metaphorical expression describes a scene of widespread devastation where displaced people or refugees are scattered across the land.
Master this word on Sottaku!
Join thousands of learners mastering Japanese with our interactive flashcard system.
Start Learning Now