Definition
気(き)の毒(どく) (kinodoku) is a Japanese idiom that literally means “spirit’s poison” and figuratively describes the situation when you feel sympathy for someone who is faced with serious and unfortunate events/incidents/circumstances. Such a situation is “poison for one’s spirit” because you feel – unless you are a psychopath – very bad for them.
Usage
(na-adj) 気の毒だ
When you express to someone your sympathy for them, you can say “お気の毒様(さま)です”.
Example
彼（かれ）は交通事故（こうつうじこ）に遭（あ）ったらしく、とても気の毒だ
I’ve heard he got into a car accident, and that is “spirit’s poison” (that makes me feel empathy for him)
A: 昨日会社をクビになってしまいました。。。
I got fired yesterday…
B: そうですか、、それは大変お気の毒様です。
Oh really, that’s very お気の毒様 (that makes me feel really sorry for you)
Related Words
Synonym
ご愁傷様(しゅうしょうさま)です: My heartfelt sympathy for your loss (it’s used when you hear about someone’s death)
Antonym
気にしない: I don’t care
どうでもいい: doesn’t matter
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