哀
アイ, あわ.れ, あわ.れむ, かな.しい

pathetic, grief, sorrow, pathos, pity, sympathize

JLPT1 G7 S9 F1715

口 mouth + 衣# for the sound alone to simulate a sobbing noise → *grief*/*sorrow* → *pathos*; *pity*, *compassion*; *mercy*.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]