鼓動
kodō
The Japanese word for heartbeat is 鼓動 (kodō).
鼓動 refers to a single pulsation of the heart. It is often used in a literary or dramatic way to describe the thumping or pulsing of the heart, rather than being used strictly for medical measurements.
Meaning: one pulsation of the heart (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 鼓動 is the standard noun for a heartbeat, you may also encounter Doki-doki (どきどき), which is an onomatopoeic expression that mimics the sound of a heartbeat.
How do you pronounce it?
kodō
Did you know?
- The first kanji in 鼓動 is the character for 'drum'. This frames the heart's rhythm as a percussive instrument rather than just a biological function.
- The phrase 胸が鳴る (mune ga naru), which literally translates to 'the chest rings', is a poetic way to describe a sensation of a heavy or pulsing heartbeat in one's chest.
- Japanese has a specific distinction between どきどき (doki-doki) for a fast heartbeat and ばくばく (baku-baku) for a more violent, heavy pounding.
Examples in context
- 彼の近くにいたら、いつもどきどきする。Whenever I'm near him, my heart races.
- 胸の鼓動が早まる。The heartbeat in my chest accelerates.
- 静かな部屋で、鼓動が聞こえる。Shizuka na heya de, kodō ga kikoeru.In the quiet room, I can hear a heartbeat.
- 激しい鼓動が止まらない。Hagashii kodō ga tomaranai.The heavy heartbeat won't stop.
- かすかな鼓動を感じた。Kasuka na kodō o kanjita.I felt a faint heartbeat.
Example conversation
A young man and woman are sitting in a quiet park at night.
- 結衣 Yui静かすぎて、自分の鼓動が聞こえるよ。Shizukasugite, jibun no kodō ga kikoeru yo.It's so quiet, I can hear my own heartbeat.
- 大翔 Hiroto僕も、少し緊張しているのかな。Boku mo, sukoshi kinchō shite iru no kana.I wonder if I'm a little nervous too.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんの鼓動、すごく速いよ。Hiroto-san no kodō, sugoku hayai yo.Hiroto, your heartbeat is very fast.
- 大翔 Hirotoやっぱり、緊張しているみたいだ。Yappari, kinchō shite iru mitai da.I guess I really am nervous.
