興味がある
kyōmi ga aru
The English phrase 'interested' is translated into Japanese as 興味がある (kyōmi ga aru).
Unlike English, you do not use a preposition like 'in' after the phrase. Instead, the object of interest is marked with the particle が (ga) or に (ni) depending on the sentence structure.
Meaning: having or showing interest (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 興味 (kyōmi), meaning 'interest' and ある (aru), meaning 'there is' or 'to exist'. Literally, it means 'interest exists'.
Which one should you use?
While 興味がある is used for personal curiosity or hobbies, 関心がある is a more formal term often used for social, political or professional interests, meaning 'to have an interest / concern'. Additionally, the informal expression 気になる can be used to express curiosity or that something catches your attention.
How do you pronounce it?
kyōmi ga aru
Did you know?
- While 興味がある describes a feeling, the word 興味 itself is written with characters meaning 'strange' or 'odd' and 'taste'. This suggests that being interested is like having a taste for the unusual.
- In Japanese, you can say 興味がない to mean 'I am not interested', but saying this too directly can be perceived as harsh or dismissive. People often use softer, indirect phrasing to avoid sounding rude.
- The phrase 気になる is often used for 'interest', but it can also mean you are worried or anxious about something. The meaning depends entirely on whether the context is positive or negative.
Examples in context
- ホントに興味がある？Are you really interested in that?This sentence is useful for asking someone if they are truly interested in something using 興味がある.Tatoeba #11995478 by small_snow, translation #1495763 by CK
- それにも興味がある。I'm interested in that, too.This sentence shows how to express being interested in something as well using 興味がある.Tatoeba #13082993 by small_snow, translation #12147463 by shekitten
- 手相に興味があるんです。I am interested in palm reading.This sentence demonstrates expressing interest in a specific subject like palm reading using 興味がある.Tatoeba #148527 by bunbuku, translation #266032 by CK
- そのプロジェクトに興味があります。I am interested in that project.
- 新しい技術に関心があります。I am interested in new technologies.
- そのイベントに興味を持っています。I have an interest in that event.
- その映画に興味があるんだよ。I am interested in that movie.
- あの新しいゲームが気になっているんだ。I'm interested in that new game.
- 野球に興味があります。I am interested in baseball.
- そのプロジェクトに本当に興味があります。I am really interested in that project.
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは、カメラに興味があるの？Yui-san wa, kamera ni kyoumi ga aru no?Yui, are you interested in cameras?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、最近カメラに興味があるんだ。Un, saikin kamera ni kyoumi ga aru n da.Yeah, I've been interested in cameras lately.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、僕のおすすめを教えるよ。Jaa, boku no osusume o oshieru yo.Then, I'll tell you my recommendation.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、健太くん！Arigatou, Kenta-kun!Thanks, Kenta!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
