感情
kanjō[kã̠ɲ̟d͡ʑo̞ː]
The English word 'emotions' is translated into Japanese as 感情 (kanjō).
感情 is used to refer to the abstract concept of emotions or psychological states. A common expression is 感情を抑える, which means to suppress or restrain one's emotions.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji for 'feeling/sense' (感) and 'emotion/condition' (情).
Which one should you use?
While 感情 refers to the abstract concept of emotions or psychological states, the word 気持ち is used for more immediate, personal feelings or moods.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai Dialect (such as in Osaka or Kyoto), you might hear Ureshii wa to say 'I'm happy'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create the na-adjective meaning 'emotional' by adding the particle な to the noun, resulting in 感情的な.
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese aesthetics, the emotion of もののあわれ (mono no aware) describes a bittersweet feeling about the impermanence of things, for which English has no single word.
- Japanese has a concept called 空気感, which refers to the 'feeling' or 'emotion' of a room or social atmosphere rather than an individual's internal state.
- The kanji 情 can also appear in words related to 'information' or 'news', such as 情報 (jouhou), linking the concept of 'affect' to 'the state of things'.
Examples in context
- 感情のままに行動するのはよせ。Don't let your emotions dictate your actions.This sentence is useful for advising someone not to let their 感情 dictate their actions.Tatoeba #10135850 by small_snow, translation #8997425 by mccarras
- 時々感情が抑えられないことがある。Sometimes I can't help showing emotions.This sentence is useful for describing the experience of being unable to control one's 感情.Tatoeba #4773 by bunbuku, translation #1349 by Zifre
- トムは自分の感情を制御しようとした。Tom tried to control his emotions.This sentence is useful for describing an attempt to control one's 感情.Tatoeba #8669743 by bunbuku, translation #2741472 by CK
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 陽太 Yotaあの映画は感情を揺さぶるね。Ano eiga wa kanjou o yusaburu ne.That movie really stirs up the emotions, doesn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、結末に感情が高ぶったよ。Un, ketsumatsu ni kanjou ga takabutta yo.Yeah, my emotions ran high at the end.
- 陽太 Yota結衣は泣いていたしね。Yui wa naite ita shi ne.You were crying, after all, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui感情を隠せなかったんだよ。Kanjou o kakusenakatta nda yo.I just couldn't hide my emotions.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 感情, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
