感情・行動

彼女かのじょの勘かんは鋭くするどく、いつも正しいただしい。

Her intuition is sharp and always right.

Usage 勘 is gut feeling or a knack: 勘が鋭い (sharp instincts), 勘が当たる (hunch proves right), 勘違い (a misunderstanding). 直感 (ちょっかん) is the more formal 'intuition'.

Remember it 甚 (very much) + 力 (power) → a very powerful sense that works without thinking.

神経しんけいを使うつかう仕事しごとが続いてつづいて疲れたつかれた。

I've been doing nerve-racking work for a while and I'm exhausted.

Usage 神経 is nerves, literal and figurative: 神経を使う (demands a lot of care), 神経質 (nervous, fussy), 神経が太い (thick-skinned), 無神経 (insensitive).

Remember it 神 (spirit) + 経 (pathway) → the pathways the spirit travels through the body.

この店みせは雰囲気ふんいきがよくて人気にんきがある。

This restaurant has a nice atmosphere, so it's popular.

Usage 雰囲気 is the mood or vibe of a place, group or person: 雰囲気がいい, 雰囲気が変わった (seems different). Many Japanese say ふいんき by mistake; the correct reading is ふんいき.

Remember it 雰 (mist) + 囲 (to surround) + 気 (air) → the misty air that surrounds a place.

あの俳優はいゆうは独特などくとくな魅力みりょくを持っているもっている。

That actor has a unique charm.

Usage 魅力 is appeal or charm: 魅力がある, 魅力的な (attractive), 魅力を感じる (be drawn to). It works for people, places, jobs and products alike.

Remember it 鬼 (spirit, demon) + 未 → a spell cast by a spirit. 魅 (to bewitch) + 力 (power) → the power to bewitch.

今日きょう上司じょうしの機嫌きげんがよかったので、頼みたのみごとをした。

My boss was in a good mood today, so I asked for a favor.

Usage 機嫌 is someone's mood: 機嫌がいい / 悪い, 機嫌を取る (butter someone up), 機嫌を損ねる (upset someone). ご機嫌いかがですか is a very polite 'how are you?'.

Remember it 機 (occasion) + 嫌 (dislike) → at any occasion, whether someone likes or dislikes things. Their mood.

環境かんきょう問題もんだいに関心かんしんを持つもつことが大切たいせつだ。

It's important to take an interest in environmental issues.

Usage 関心 is concern or interest in an issue: 関心を持つ, 関心が高まる (interest grows), 無関心 (indifference). 興味 (きょうみ) is personal curiosity or enjoyment; 関心 is broader and often social.

Remember it 関 (connection, gate) + 心 (heart) → your heart connects to something.

意欲いよくがあれば、どんな困難こんなんも乗り越えられるのりこえられる。

With enough drive, you can overcome any difficulty.

Usage 意欲 is the drive or will to do something: 意欲がある, 意欲的な (motivated), 意欲を失う (lose motivation), 学習意欲 (desire to learn). やる気 is the casual equivalent.

Remember it 意 (mind, will) + 欲 (desire) → a mind that wants to act.

全力ぜんりょくで試合しあいに臨むのぞむことを誓ったちかった。

I vowed to give it my all in the match.

Usage 全力 is all your strength: 全力を尽くす (do your very best), 全力で走る (run flat out), 全力投球 (put everything into it).

Remember it 全 (whole) + 力 (power) → your whole power.

本気ほんきで勉強べんきょうすれば、絶対ぜったい合格ごうかくできる。

If you study in earnest, you'll definitely pass.

Usage 本気 = serious, for real: 本気で (seriously), 本気になる (get serious), 本気？ (are you serious?). Its opposite is 冗談 (じょうだん, a joke).

Remember it 本 (true, real) + 気 (spirit) → your true spirit, no pretending.

安全あんぜん意識いしきを高めるたかめることが重要じゅうようだ。

Raising safety awareness is important.

Usage 意識 is consciousness and awareness: 意識を失う (lose consciousness), 〜を意識する (be conscious of), 意識が高い (high-minded, sometimes teasing). 環境意識 = environmental awareness.

Remember it 意 (mind) + 識 (to know, discern) → the mind knowing what is going on.

サプライズパーティーサプライズパーティーに感激かんげきして涙なみだが出たでた。

I was so moved by the surprise party that I cried.

Usage 感激 is being deeply moved, often by kindness or a happy surprise: 感激する, 感激のあまり (overwhelmed with emotion). It is more intense and personal than 感動 (かんどう).

Remember it 感 (feeling) + 激 (violent, intense) → a feeling so intense it overflows.

事故じこで家族かぞくを亡くしたなくした彼かれに同情どうじょうした。

I sympathized with him for losing his family in the accident.

Usage 同情 is pity or sympathy for someone's hardship: 同情する, 同情を集める (win sympathy). It can feel condescending: 同情はいらない (I don't need your pity). 共感 (きょうかん) is empathy, feeling the same.

Remember it 同 (same) + 情 (feelings) → sharing the same feelings as someone suffering.

計画けいかくに全員ぜんいんが同意どういした。

Everyone agreed to the plan.

Usage 同意 is agreement or consent, often formal: 同意する, 同意を得る (get consent), 同意書 (consent form). 賛成 (さんせい) is voting in favor of an idea.

Remember it 同 (same) + 意 (opinion) → having the same opinion.

あなたの意見いけんに同感どうかんです。

I feel the same way as you.

Usage 同感 is 'I feel the same': 同感です, or just 同感！ It is lighter than 同意 and expresses shared feeling rather than formal agreement.

Remember it 同 (same) + 感 (feeling) → the same feeling.

二つのふたつの国くには領土りょうど問題もんだいで対立たいりつしている。

The two countries are at odds over a territorial dispute.

Usage 対立 is opposition or conflict between sides: 意見が対立する (opinions clash), 対立関係, 対立候補 (rival candidate). 反対 (はんたい) is simply being against something.

Remember it 対 (facing) + 立 (to stand) → standing face to face, against each other.

自分じぶんの主張しゅちょうをはっきりとはっきりと述べるのべることが大切たいせつだ。

It's important to state your position clearly.

Usage 主張 is a claim or insistence on your position: 主張する, 自己主張 (asserting yourself), 権利を主張する (claim a right). It is stronger than 意見 (opinion).

Remember it 主 (main) + 張 (to stretch, spread) → spreading your main point out for all to see.

組合くみあいは賃上げちんあげを要求ようきゅうした。

The union demanded a pay raise.

Usage 要求 is a demand, stronger than a request: 要求する, 要求を満たす (meet a demand), 無理な要求 (an unreasonable demand). 要望 (ようぼう) is a softer 'wish' or request.

Remember it 要 (need) + 求 (to seek) → seeking what you need.

この商品しょうひんを今いま買うかうのは得とくだ。

It's a good deal to buy this product now.

Usage 得 (とく) means gain or advantage: 得する (come out ahead), お得 (a good deal), 得な性格 (a lucky disposition). Its opposite is 損.

Remember it 彳 (going) + 旦 + 寸 (hand) → going out and getting something in hand. The same 得 as 得る (to obtain).

高いたかい授業料じゅぎょうりょうを払ってはらって行かなかったのはいかなかったのは損そんだった。

Paying expensive tuition and then not going was a waste.

Usage 損 means loss or disadvantage: 損する (lose out), 損をさせる, 損得 (profit and loss). 損害 (そんがい) is damage in a formal sense. Its opposite is 得.

Remember it 扌 (hand) + 員 (member) → a hand taking members away. Something is lost.

チームチームは勝利しょうりの勢いいきおいに乗ってのって次のつぎの試合しあいも勝ったかった。

Riding the momentum of their win, the team won the next game too.

Usage 勢い is force or momentum: 勢いがある, 勢いよく (vigorously), 勢いに乗る (ride the momentum), その場の勢いで (on the spur of the moment).

Remember it 埶 (to plant, grow) + 力 (power) → the power of something growing fast.

地震じしんなどの自然しぜん災害さいがいに備えるそなえることが大切たいせつだ。

It's important to prepare for natural disasters such as earthquakes.

Usage 災害 is a disaster: 自然災害 (natural disaster), 災害対策 (disaster preparedness), 災害時 (in an emergency). 事故 (じこ) is an accident; 災難 (さいなん) is personal misfortune.

Remember it 災 (calamity: 巛 floods + 火 fire) + 害 (harm) → flood, fire and harm.

天候てんこうが悪いわるいため、試合しあいは中止ちゅうしになった。

The match was cancelled due to bad weather.

Usage 天候 is weather over a period, a more formal word than 天気: 天候不良 (bad weather), 天候に恵まれる (be blessed with good weather). 気候 (きこう) is the long-term climate.

Remember it 天 (sky) + 候 (season, condition) → the condition of the sky.

冬ふゆは空気くうきが乾燥かんそうして肌はだが荒れるあれる。

In winter the air is dry and my skin gets rough.

Usage 乾燥する = to be or become dry: 乾燥肌 (dry skin), 乾燥機 (dryer), 乾燥注意報 (dry-air warning). Its opposite is 湿気 (しっけ, humidity).

Remember it 乾 (dry) + 燥 (to parch). Both halves mean dryness, and 燥 carries 火 (fire).

天文台てんもんだいで星ほしを観測かんそくした。

I observed the stars at the observatory.

Usage 観測 is scientific observation and measurement: 気象観測 (weather observation), 観測史上 (on record). 希望的観測 means wishful thinking. For watching nature or people, use 観察 (かんさつ).

Remember it 観 (to view) + 測 (to measure) → viewing and measuring.

登山とざんチームが雪山ゆきやまで遭難そうなんして救助きゅうじょを求めたもとめた。

The climbing team got into trouble on the snowy mountain and called for rescue.

Usage 遭難 is getting stranded or wrecked in the mountains or at sea: 遭難する, 遭難者 (victim), 遭難信号 (distress signal). It is used for outdoor emergencies, not traffic accidents.

Remember it 遭 (to encounter) + 難 (difficulty, disaster) → encountering disaster.

火災かさいが発生はっせいしたため、避難ひなんしてください。

A fire has broken out, so please evacuate.

Usage 発生する = to occur or break out, typical of news and announcements: 事故が発生する, 問題が発生する, 台風が発生する (a typhoon forms). In conversation, 起きる.

Remember it 発 (to start) + 生 (to be born) → something is born and starts.

新しいあたらしいスマートフォンスマートフォンが登場とうじょうした。

A new smartphone has come out.

Usage 登場 is making an entrance or debut: 新製品が登場する, 登場人物 (characters in a story), 新登場 (newly launched).

Remember it 登 (to climb up) + 場 (stage, place) → climbing up onto the stage.

被災地ひさいちに食料しょくりょうなどの援助えんじょを送ったおくった。

We sent aid such as food to the disaster area.

Usage 援助 is aid, often financial or material, from one party to another: 経済援助 (economic aid), 援助を受ける. 支援 (しえん) is support in a broader sense.

Remember it 援 (to help, reach out a hand) + 助 (to help) → reaching out to help.

基礎きそを学んだまなんだあとは応用おうよう問題もんだいに挑戦ちょうせんしよう。

Once you've learned the basics, try some applied problems.

Usage 応用 is applying what you know to new situations: 応用する, 応用問題 (applied problems), 応用力 (ability to apply knowledge). Its partner is 基礎 (きそ, basics).

Remember it 応 (to respond) + 用 (to use) → using what you know in response to something new.

アンケートアンケートの回答かいとうをメールで送っておくってください。

Please send your survey answers by email.

Usage 回答 is a formal reply to a survey or inquiry: アンケートに回答する. 答え (こたえ) is the answer to a question; 返事 (へんじ) is a personal reply. 解答 (かいとう) is the answer to an exam problem.

Remember it 回 (to return, go round) + 答 (to answer) → an answer sent back.

議論ぎろんの末すえ、結論けつろんが出たでた。

After much discussion, a conclusion was reached.

Usage 結論 is a conclusion: 結論が出る (be reached), 結論を出す (reach one), 結論から言うと (to get to the point). The last is a great phrase for work.

Remember it 結 (to tie up) + 論 (argument) → tying up the argument.

新しいあたらしい案あんを提出ていしゅつしてください。

Please submit a new proposal.

Usage 案 is a plan, idea or draft: 案を出す, 改善案 (improvement plan), 代案 (alternative). 案の定 (あんのじょう) means 'just as expected'.

Remember it 安 (peace) + 木 (wood, a desk) → sitting calmly at a desk drawing up a plan.

不当なふとうな扱いあつかいに憤慨ふんがいした。

I was indignant at the unfair treatment.

Usage 憤慨 is righteous anger at injustice, formal and written: 不正に憤慨する. 怒る (おこる) is general anger; 腹が立つ is the everyday feeling of being annoyed.

Remember it 憤 (to resent) + 慨 (to lament) → resentment and lament boiling over.

羨望せんぼうのまなざしで彼女かのじょの成功せいこうを見つめたみつめた。

I gazed at her success with envious eyes.

Usage 羨望 is envy mixed with admiration, a literary word: 羨望の的 (the object of envy), 羨望のまなざし (an envious look). Everyday: うらやましい.

Remember it 羨 (to envy) + 望 (to gaze, hope) → gazing with envy.

安全性あんぜんせいについて懸念けねんが示されたしめされた。

Concerns were raised about safety.

Usage 懸念 is concern or worry about what might happen, common in news: 懸念を示す, 懸念される (is feared). 心配 (しんぱい) is the everyday word.

Remember it 懸 (to hang, suspend) + 念 (thought) → a thought left hanging over you.

締め切りしめきりが迫りせまり焦燥しょうそうを感じたかんじた。

As the deadline approached, I felt anxious and impatient.

Usage 焦燥 is restless anxiety, a written word, usually as 焦燥感 (a feeling of frustration) or 焦燥に駆られる. Everyday: 焦る (あせる).

Remember it 焦 (to scorch, fret) + 燥 (dry, parched) → scorched and parched with worry. Both carry 火 (fire).

過去かこの失敗しっぱいへの悔恨かいこんが今もいまも残っているのこっている。

Regret over past failures still lingers.

Usage 悔恨 is deep remorse, very literary: 悔恨の念 (feelings of remorse). 後悔 (こうかい) is the normal word for regret.

Remember it 悔 (to regret) + 恨 (grudge) → a regret that bites like a grudge against yourself.

突然のとつぜんの質問しつもんに当惑とうわくした。

I was perplexed by the sudden question.

Usage 当惑 is bewilderment about how to respond: 当惑する, 当惑した表情. More formal than 困る or 戸惑う (とまどう).

Remember it 当 (to face) + 惑 (to be confused) → facing something and being lost for a response.

悪いわるい知らせしらせを聞いてきいて動揺どうようを隠せなかったかくせなかった。

When I heard the bad news, I couldn't hide how shaken I was.

Usage 動揺 is being shaken or upset: 動揺する, 動揺を隠せない (can't hide one's agitation), 市場の動揺 (market turmoil).

Remember it 動 (to move) + 揺 (to shake) → shaken and moved inside.

仕事しごとと家族かぞくの間あいだで葛藤かっとうしている。

I'm torn between work and family.

Usage 葛藤 is inner conflict between two pulls: 葛藤する, 心の葛藤. It is common in essays and literature about difficult choices.

Remember it 葛 (arrowroot vine) + 藤 (wisteria vine) → two vines tangled together. Feelings you can't untangle.

目標もくひょうを達成たっせいしたときの達成感たっせいかんはたまらない。

The sense of achievement when you reach a goal is amazing.

Usage 達成感 is the satisfaction of having achieved something: 達成感がある, 達成感を味わう. 目標を達成する = to reach a goal.

Remember it 達 (to reach) + 成 (to accomplish) + 感 (feeling) → the feeling of reaching and accomplishing.

忙しくてもいそがしくても充実感じゅうじつかんのある毎日まいにちを送りたいおくりたい。

Even when I'm busy, I want to live days that feel fulfilling.

Usage 充実感 is a sense of fulfillment, of days well filled: 充実感がある. 充実した毎日 = full and meaningful days. 満足感 (まんぞくかん) is satisfaction with a result.

Remember it 充 (to fill) + 実 (fruit, substance) + 感 (feeling) → the feeling of being filled with substance.

ステージステージに立つとたつと高揚感こうようかんで胸むねがいっぱいにいっぱいになる。

When I stand on stage, my heart fills with exhilaration.

Usage 高揚感 is a rush of excitement or elation: 高揚感に包まれる. 気分が高揚する = spirits soar. ワクワク is the casual everyday feeling.

Remember it 高 (high) + 揚 (to raise) + 感 (feeling) → a feeling that lifts you high.

何をしてもなにをしても状況じょうきょうが変わらずかわらず無力感むりょくかんを覚えたおぼえた。

No matter what I did, the situation didn't change, and I felt helpless.

Usage 無力感 is a sense of helplessness: 無力感を覚える, 無力感に襲われる. 無力 (むりょく) alone means powerless.

Remember it 無 (none) + 力 (power) + 感 (feeling) → the feeling of having no power.