What does Natsukashii /natsukɑʃiː/ mean in Japanese?

The Japanese word 懐かしい Natsukashii /natsukɑʃiː/ in English means “nostalgic” or “nostalgia.” It is used to describe a feeling of fondness or longing for a time in the past. Japanese people use 懐かしい when they met old friends, went to somewhere old places.

For example, you worked part-time at a cafe during high school in your hometown. After decades, you came back to your hometown, and there is a still the same cafe. When You opened the door, you see the unchanged interior, same picture, and the same owner is still working in the cafe.

The unchanged scenes bring back memories of when you were a high school student. These memories include not only the times when you worked at the cafe, but also the emotions, thoughts, and experiences of your high school days. When you feel like that, you can say 懐かしい。

The examples of 懐かしい moments

We talked for hours about the good old (natsukashii) days.

私たちは古き良きあの頃について何時間も話しました。

/wataʃi tatʃi wa huɾuki joki dʒidai ni tsuite nandʒikan mo hanaʃi maʃita/

It reminds me of high school days.

これは、私の高校時代を思い出させる。

/koɾewa wataʃi no koːkou dʒidai wo omoi dasaseɾu/

I miss my hometown (when you eat specialities from your hometown).

地元が恋しい。

/dʒimoto ɡɑ koiʃiː/

These photos bring back memories (natsukashii), and I feel nostalgic.

これらの写真を見ると、思い出が蘇って懐かしい気持ちになります。

/kono ʃaʃin wo miɾuto omoide ɡa jomiɡa ette natsukaʃiː kimotʃi ni naɾimasu/

Ah, good times (natsukashii).

ああ、懐かしい。

/aː natsukaʃiː/

Japanese Basic Words 100