The Meaning of shitau [慕う] In Japanese

慕う
したう
Romaji: shitau N3

What does 慕う mean?

Translation and Meaning

to yearn for, to long for, to miss, to feel affection or admiration from afar

Definition

慕う means to yearn for or to feel a deep emotional pull toward someone or something, often accompanied by affection, longing, or nostalgia.

Type

verb (五段動詞, u-verb)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • to yearn for and miss a person or place
  • to feel romantic or nostalgic longing toward someone or something
  • to admire or hold in high regard from a distance or in an idealized way

Composition

  • 慕 = yearn, long for
  • う = verb-ending that turns the noun/kanji into a verb

Usage

慕う is used with a direct object marked by を (for example 故郷を慕う), and it appears in formal, literary, and everyday speech though it leans toward literary or poetic register. It conveys a sustained emotional pull rather than a fleeting thought, and can express longing for people, places, memories, or ideals.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a person reaching their heart toward a distant figure; the sound shitau echoes the idea of pulling the heart inward toward longing.

Variations

  • 憧れる (あこがれる) — to yearn for or to admire
  • 想う (おもう) — to think of or feel for
  • 思いを寄せる (おもいをよせる) — to have feelings for someone

Example Phrases

  • 彼は 遠くの 友達を 心から 慕う。
    Kare wa tooku no tomodachi o kokoro kara shitau.
    He deeply longs for a distant friend.
    Lista:
    • 彼は (Kare wa) – he
    • 遠くの (tooku no) – distant
    • 友達を (tomodachi o) – friend (object marker)
    • 心から (kokoro kara) – from the heart
    • 慕う (shitau) – to yearn for
    The verb 「慕う」 means ‘to yearn for’ or ‘to admire.’ Here it follows 心から to intensify the feeling and takes 友達を as its object, expressing deep longing for a distant friend.
慕う