The words for resentment, pride, regret and longing that everyday speech leaves blurred.
At this level the basic feelings split into finer ones: anger becomes 憤り, indignation at something unjust, or the quiet grudge of 恨み; regret becomes 悔やむ or the lingering attachment of 未練. Japanese also prefers to describe other people’s feelings from the outside, so with a third person you will often see 〜がる, 〜そう or 〜ようだ rather than a bare feeling word. Several of these are written words that are rarer in conversation, such as 嫌悪 and 感慨.
The words
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Verb (9)
妬むto envy; to be jealous ofVerbN2
人の成功を妬んでも、自分は何も変わらない。Being jealous of other people’s success changes nothing about yourself.
Resentful envy; 羨ましい is the harmless kind.
恥じるto be ashamedVerbN2
自分の行動を恥じて、彼は皆に謝った。Ashamed of what he had done, he apologised to everyone.
A written verb; in speech, 恥ずかしい. Also 〜に恥じない, worthy of (a name or a title).
悔やむto regret; to mournVerbN2
今更悔やんでも、過ぎたことは戻らない。Regretting it now will not bring back what is past.
Also to mourn a death, as in お悔やみ, condolences.
怯えるto be frightened; to cowerVerbN2
雷の音に怯えて、犬が机の下に隠れた。Frightened by the thunder, the dog hid under the table.
嘆くto lament; to grieveVerbN2
祖母は町から子供が減ったことを嘆いている。My grandmother laments that there are fewer children in the town.
和むto relax; to be soothedVerbN2
赤ちゃんの笑顔を見ると、心が和む。Seeing the baby smile puts me at ease.
Of a mood or atmosphere softening; 和やか, harmonious.
はしゃぐto frolic; to be giddy with excitementVerbN2
初めて雪を見た子供たちは、大喜びではしゃいでいた。Seeing snow for the first time, the children were running about in delight.
苛立つto get irritatedVerbN2
なかなか来ないバスに、客たちは苛立っていた。The passengers were growing irritated with the bus that never seemed to come.
Written; in speech, いらいらする.
ためらうto hesitateVerbN2
本当のことを言うべきか、彼は一瞬ためらった。For a moment he hesitated over whether to tell the truth.
Usually written in kana.
Noun (22)
焦りimpatience; anxious hasteNounN2
締め切りが近づくにつれて、焦りを感じ始めた。As the deadline drew nearer, I began to feel the pressure.
From 焦る, to be in a rush and flustered.
戸惑いbewilderment; confusionNounN2
急な方針の変更に、社員の間で戸惑いが広がっている。The sudden change of policy is causing confusion among the staff.
Not knowing how to react to something new or unexpected.
動揺agitation; being shakenNounN2
その知らせを聞いて、彼女はひどく動揺していた。She was badly shaken when she heard the news.
Also a verb: 動揺する.
憤りindignation; resentmentNounN2
住民は市の説明に強い憤りを感じている。Residents feel strong indignation at the city’s explanation.
Anger at an injustice; a written word.
恨みgrudge; resentmentNounN2
昔のことで、今も恨みを持っているわけではない。It is not that I still bear a grudge over what happened back then.
The verb is 恨む. Set phrase: 恨みを買う, to make an enemy of someone.
憧れlonging; admirationNounN3
子供のころから、パイロットは私の憧れの仕事だった。Ever since I was a child, being a pilot has been my dream job.
Admiration for someone or a wish for something out of reach; verb 憧れる.
満喫enjoying to the fullNounN2
久しぶりの休暇で、温泉と料理を満喫した。On my first holiday in ages, I made the most of the hot springs and the food.
Also a verb: 満喫する.
感慨deep emotion; strong feelingsNounN2
卒業式で校舎を見ていると、感慨深いものがあった。Looking at the school building at the graduation ceremony, I was filled with emotion.
Usually in 感慨深い, deeply moving, when looking back.
恐怖fear; terrorNounN3
地震のとき、生まれて初めて本当の恐怖を感じた。During the earthquake I felt real terror for the first time in my life.
苦痛pain; distress; an ordealNounN2
満員電車での通勤は、毎朝本当に苦痛だ。Commuting on packed trains is an ordeal for me every morning.
Physical pain or something unbearable to go through; 苦痛を感じる, 苦痛を与える.
愛情affection; loveNounN3
祖父は毎朝、愛情を込めて庭の花に水をやる。Every morning my grandfather lovingly waters the flowers in the garden.
好意goodwill; likingNounN2
彼が彼女に好意を持っていることは、誰の目にも明らかだった。It was obvious to everyone that he had feelings for her.
Liking or goodwill towards someone, often romantic interest; someone’s kindness to you is usually ご厚意.
敬意respectNounN2
長年働いてきた先輩たちに敬意を表したい。I would like to pay tribute to the senior colleagues who have worked here for so many years.
Set phrase: 敬意を表する, to express one’s respect.
軽蔑contempt; scornNounN2
弱い立場の人を軽蔑するような態度は許せない。I cannot accept an attitude of contempt towards people in a weak position.
Also a verb: 軽蔑する.
嫌悪disgust; loathingNounN2
自分の弱さに嫌悪を感じることもある。Sometimes I feel disgusted at my own weakness.
Mostly written; often 嫌悪感, a feeling of disgust.
充実感sense of fulfilmentNounN2
大変な仕事だったが、終わったときには充実感があった。It was hard work, but when it was over I felt a real sense of fulfilment.
絶望despairNounN2
何度失敗しても、彼は決して絶望しなかった。However many times he failed, he never despaired.
Also a verb: 絶望する.
情熱passion; enthusiasmNounN2
彼女は教育に情熱を注いでいる。She pours her passion into education.
Set phrase: 情熱を注ぐ; adjective 情熱的.
未練lingering attachment; regretNounN2
別れた恋人に、まだ未練があるようだ。He seems to be still hung up on his ex.
Being unable to let go of a person or a hope.
機嫌mood; temperNounN3
部長は今日、朝から機嫌が悪い。The department head has been in a bad mood since this morning.
Mostly in 機嫌がいい / 機嫌が悪い; ご機嫌 is a good mood.
憎しみhatredNounN2
戦争は人々の心に深い憎しみを残した。The war left deep hatred in people’s hearts.
From 憎む, to hate.
心境state of mindNounN2
引退を決めた今の心境を聞かせてください。Please tell us how you feel now that you have decided to retire.
A favourite word of interviewers: 今の心境は.
i-adjective (6)
誇らしいproudi-adjectiveN2
息子が賞をもらい、親として誇らしく思った。My son won a prize, and as his parent I felt proud.
Proud in a good sense; the noun is 誇り.
快いpleasant; willingi-adjectiveN2
急なお願いだったのに、先輩は快く引き受けてくれた。It was a sudden request, but my senior colleague gladly agreed to it.
Mostly as the adverb 快く, gladly, without reluctance; also of a pleasant breeze or feeling.
もどかしいfrustrating; impatienti-adjectiveN2
言いたいことがうまく言葉にならず、もどかしかった。I could not put what I wanted to say into words, and it was frustrating.
Frustration at being unable to do something quickly or well enough.
名残惜しいsorry to part; reluctant to leavei-adjectiveN2
楽しい旅行も今日で終わりかと思うと、名残惜しい。It is a shame to think that this lovely trip ends today.
Used at farewells and the end of good times.
心強いreassuring; encouragingi-adjectiveN2
経験のある先輩が一緒に来てくれて、心強かった。It was reassuring to have an experienced colleague come along with me.
Opposite: 心細い, uneasy, forlorn.
照れくさいembarrassed; self-consciousi-adjectiveN2
大勢の前で褒められて、少し照れくさかった。Being praised in front of so many people made me feel a little embarrassed.
The pleasant kind of embarrassment, at praise or affection; verb 照れる.
na-adjective (3)
憂鬱gloomy; depressedna-adjectiveN2
月曜日の朝は、いつも少し憂鬱だ。Monday mornings always make me feel a little down.
A heavy, dull low mood; not a medical term.
不快unpleasant; offensivena-adjectiveN2
相手を不快にさせる冗談は言うべきではない。You should not make jokes that cause offence.
Formal; an apology may say ご不快な思いをおかけして申し訳ありません, we apologise for any offence caused.
愉快pleasant; amusingna-adjectiveN2
昨日は古い友達と愉快な時間を過ごした。Yesterday I spent a delightful time with old friends.
Opposite: 不愉快, unpleasant.
This list belongs to People, family and feelings — nine lists and 361 words that can also be practised as a whole.
Practise this list
Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.
