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Japanese Feelings Vocabulary: 250+ Words for Emotions

Table of Contents
1. Positive Feelings
2. Negative Feelings
3. Physical & Bodily Feelings
4. Social & Relational Feelings
5. Complex & Nuanced Emotions
Japanese feelings vocabulary goes far beyond basic words like ureshii (happy) or kanashii (sad). Emotions in Japanese are expressed with rich nuances, from joy and excitement to subtle states like nostalgia or relief. Let’s discover 250 essential words and expressions from Mazii to speak more naturally and understand Japanese culture on a deeper level.
Japanese Feelings Vocabulary: 250+ Words for Emotions
Positive Feelings
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
しあわせ |
幸せ |
shiawase |
happiness |
こうふく |
幸福 |
kōfuku |
bliss, well-being |
よろこび |
喜び |
yorokobi |
joy |
かんしゃ |
感謝 |
kansha |
gratitude |
うれしい |
嬉しい |
ureshii |
glad, happy |
たのしい |
楽しい |
tanoshii |
fun, enjoyable |
わくわく |
– |
wakuwaku |
excited (anticipation) |
ほっとする |
– |
hotto suru |
relieved |
あんしん |
安心 |
anshin |
relief, peace of mind |
らく |
楽 |
raku |
ease, comfort |
げんき |
元気 |
genki |
energetic, healthy |
じしん |
自信 |
jishin |
confidence |
きぼう |
希望 |
kibō |
hope |
かんどう |
感動 |
kandō |
deep emotion, moving |
まんぞく |
満足 |
manzoku |
satisfaction |
たのしみ |
楽しみ |
tanoshimi |
pleasure, enjoyment |
ゆうき |
勇気 |
yūki |
courage |
せいしんてき |
精神的 |
seishinteki |
spiritual, mental (uplift) |
あい |
愛 |
ai |
love |
あいじょう |
愛情 |
aijō |
affection |
れんあい |
恋愛 |
ren’ai |
romantic love |
こい |
恋 |
koi |
romantic affection |
しんらい |
信頼 |
shinrai |
trust |
あんらく |
安楽 |
anraku |
comfort, ease |
こうえい |
光栄 |
kōei |
honor |
じまん |
自慢 |
jiman |
pride |
ほこり |
誇り |
hokori |
pride, dignity |
れいぎ |
礼儀 |
reigi |
courtesy |
あいしん |
愛心 |
aishin |
kindness |
じゅんすい |
純粋 |
junsui |
pure, innocent |
あんらん |
安蘭 |
anran |
serenity |
かんき |
歓喜 |
kanki |
delight |
えがお |
笑顔 |
egao |
smiling face |
ほほえみ |
微笑み |
hohoemi |
gentle smile |
こうきしん |
好奇心 |
kōkishin |
curiosity |
きんちょう |
緊張 |
kinchō |
(positive) nervous excitement |
しんせつ |
親切 |
shinsetsu |
kindness |
あんど |
安堵 |
ando |
relief |
りょうしん |
良心 |
ryōshin |
good conscience |
かんぺき |
完璧 |
kanpeki |
perfection |
しんぼう |
辛抱 |
shimbō |
patience |
かつやく |
活躍 |
katsuyaku |
success, great performance |
こうじょうしん |
向上心 |
kōjōshin |
ambition (positive drive) |
こうどうりょく |
行動力 |
kōdōryoku |
initiative |
どきどき |
– |
dokidoki |
excited heartbeat |
ほれぼれ |
– |
horebore |
admiration, adoration |
なごみ |
和み |
nagomi |
calmness |
いやし |
癒し |
iyashi |
healing, soothing |
まごころ |
真心 |
magokoro |
sincerity |
せいじつ |
誠実 |
seijitsu |
honesty, sincerity |
Negative Feelings
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
かなしい |
悲しい |
kanashii |
sad |
ひどい |
酷い |
hidoi |
cruel, awful |
くやしい |
悔しい |
kuyashii |
regretful, frustrated |
ざんねん |
残念 |
zannen |
disappointing |
つらい |
辛い |
tsurai |
painful, tough |
さびしい |
寂しい |
sabishii |
lonely |
こわい |
怖い |
kowai |
scary, afraid |
おそれ |
恐れ |
osore |
fear |
ふあん |
不安 |
fuan |
anxiety |
きんちょう |
緊張 |
kinchō |
tension, nervousness (negative) |
いや |
嫌 |
iya |
unpleasant, dislike |
きらい |
嫌い |
kirai |
hate, dislike |
うらやましい |
羨ましい |
urayamashii |
envious |
しっと |
嫉妬 |
shitto |
jealousy |
ねたみ |
妬み |
netami |
envy |
はじ |
恥 |
haji |
shame |
はずかしい |
恥ずかしい |
hazukashii |
embarrassed |
みじめ |
惨め |
mijime |
miserable |
おちこみ |
落ち込み |
ochikomi |
depression, feeling down |
ゆううつ |
憂鬱 |
yūutsu |
melancholy, gloom |
せつない |
切ない |
setsunai |
painful, heartbreaking |
ふこう |
不幸 |
fukō |
unhappiness, misfortune |
こうかい |
後悔 |
kōkai |
regret |
しっぱい |
失敗 |
shippai |
failure |
ふまん |
不満 |
fuman |
dissatisfaction |
くるしい |
苦しい |
kurushii |
painful, distressed |
くるしみ |
苦しみ |
kurushimi |
suffering |
ひがみ |
僻み |
higami |
resentment, grudge |
こうふん |
興奮 |
kōfun |
agitation (negative) |
いかり |
怒り |
ikari |
anger |
はらだち |
腹立ち |
haradachi |
rage |
ふまんぞく |
不満足 |
fuman zoku |
dissatisfaction |
おそれいり |
恐れ入り |
osore iri |
being overwhelmed (negative) |
きょうふ |
恐怖 |
kyōfu |
terror |
いらいら |
– |
iraira |
irritation |
おちつかない |
落ち着かない |
ochitsukanai |
restless |
こうじょう |
向上 |
kōjō |
discontent at lack of progress |
だるい |
怠い |
darui |
sluggish, weary |
ぐったり |
– |
guttari |
exhausted |
きげんがわるい |
機嫌が悪い |
kigen ga warui |
in a bad mood |
いやけ |
嫌気 |
iyake |
disgust |
きょうしゅく |
恐縮 |
kyōshuku |
feeling obliged/embarrassed |
くとうてん |
苦悶 |
kumon |
anguish |
ふきげん |
不機嫌 |
fukigen |
sullen, grumpy |
けんあく |
険悪 |
ken’aku |
hostile, threatening |
どんより |
– |
don’yori |
gloomy, dull mood |
なさけない |
情けない |
nasakenai |
pathetic, pitiful |
きつい |
– |
kitsui |
harsh, tough |
せんりつ |
戦慄 |
senritsu |
shudder, dread |
いやらしい |
厭らしい |
iyarashii |
nasty, indecent |
つかれ |
疲れ |
tsukare |
fatigue |
Physical & Bodily Feelings
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
いたい |
痛い |
itai |
painful |
ねむい |
眠い |
nemui |
sleepy |
つかれた |
疲れた |
tsukareta |
tired |
だるい |
怠い |
darui |
sluggish, weary |
のどがかわいた |
喉が渇いた |
nodo ga kawaita |
thirsty |
おなかがすいた |
お腹が空いた |
onaka ga suita |
hungry |
はらぺこ |
腹ペコ |
harapeko |
starving |
くるしい |
苦しい |
kurushii |
suffocating, painful |
しんどい |
しんどい |
shindoi |
exhausted |
びょうき |
病気 |
byōki |
sick |
きぶんがわるい |
気分が悪い |
kibun ga warui |
feeling unwell |
めまい |
目眩 |
memai |
dizziness |
はきけ |
吐き気 |
hakike |
nausea |
むかむか |
むかむか |
mukamuka |
queasy, nauseous |
しょうどう |
衝動 |
shōdō |
urge, impulse |
しんどさ |
しんどさ |
shindosa |
sense of fatigue |
だるさ |
だるさ |
darusa |
heaviness, fatigue |
きもちいい |
気持ちいい |
kimochi ii |
feels good |
ここちよい |
心地よい |
kokochi yoi |
comfortable |
すっきり |
すっきり |
sukkiri |
refreshed |
さわやか |
爽やか |
sawayaka |
refreshing |
かいてき |
快適 |
kaiteki |
pleasant, comfortable |
いごこち |
居心地 |
igokochi |
feeling of comfort |
ふわふわ |
ふわふわ |
fuwafuwa |
light, fluffy feeling |
ぽかぽか |
ぽかぽか |
pokapoka |
warm and cozy |
ひやり |
ひやり |
hiyari |
chilly, cold sensation |
ぞくぞく |
ぞくぞく |
zokuzoku |
shiver, thrill (physical) |
びくびく |
びくびく |
bikubiku |
trembling, nervous shiver |
がまん |
我慢 |
gaman |
endurance |
くたくた |
くたくた |
kutakuta |
dead tired |
へとへと |
へとへと |
hetoheto |
utterly exhausted |
よっぱらい |
酔っ払い |
yopparai |
drunk |
よい |
酔い |
yoi |
intoxication |
ほろよい |
ほろ酔い |
horoyoi |
tipsy |
すいみん |
睡眠 |
suimin |
sleepiness |
ねむけ |
眠気 |
nemuke |
drowsiness |
ねぼけ |
寝ぼけ |
neboke |
half asleep |
ねつ |
熱 |
netsu |
fever |
しょうねつ |
焦熱 |
shōnetsu |
burning heat |
ひえ |
冷え |
hie |
chill, coldness |
しびれ |
痺れ |
shibire |
numbness, tingling |
いたみ |
痛み |
itami |
pain |
けが |
怪我 |
kega |
injury |
ちから |
力 |
chikara |
strength |
けんこう |
健康 |
kenkō |
health |
たいりょく |
体力 |
tairyoku |
stamina |
だっしん |
脱力 |
datsuryoku |
loss of strength |
けんぜん |
健全 |
kenzen |
sound (healthy) |
はつらつ |
はつらつ |
hatsuratsu |
lively, vigorous |
いきぐるしい |
息苦しい |
ikigurushii |
short of breath |
Social & Relational Feelings
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
あいじょう |
愛情 |
aijō |
affection |
こうい |
好意 |
kōi |
goodwill, favor |
しんせつ |
親切 |
shinsetsu |
kindness |
やさしさ |
優しさ |
yasashisa |
gentleness |
おもいやり |
思いやり |
omoiyari |
consideration, compassion |
こうけん |
貢献 |
kōken |
contribution |
きょうりょく |
協力 |
kyōryoku |
cooperation |
しんらい |
信頼 |
shinrai |
trust |
しんよう |
信用 |
shinyō |
reliance, confidence |
れいぎ |
礼儀 |
reigi |
courtesy |
けいい |
敬意 |
keii |
respect |
そんけい |
尊敬 |
sonkei |
esteem, admiration |
あいそ |
愛想 |
aiso |
friendliness |
こうかん |
好感 |
kōkan |
favorable impression |
ゆうじょう |
友情 |
yūjō |
friendship |
どうじょう |
同情 |
dōjō |
sympathy |
いたわり |
労り |
itawari |
compassion, caring |
かんどう |
感動 |
kandō |
being moved emotionally |
えんりょ |
遠慮 |
enryo |
reserve, modest restraint |
せつじつ |
切実 |
setsujitsu |
sincere, earnest |
しんせい |
親誠 |
shinsei |
heartfelt sincerity |
きんじょう |
近情 |
kinjō |
personal attachment |
あんしんかん |
安心感 |
anshinkan |
sense of security |
しんぼう |
辛抱 |
shimbō |
patience with others |
あいそわらい |
愛想笑い |
aisowarai |
forced smile |
まごころ |
真心 |
magokoro |
true heart, sincerity |
しんせい |
真誠 |
shinsei |
genuine honesty |
こんじょう |
根性 |
konjō |
willpower, grit |
ねんいり |
念入り |
nen’iri |
attentiveness |
きょうかん |
共感 |
kyōkan |
empathy |
はんどう |
反動 |
handō |
reaction (social/emotional) |
きょうちょう |
協調 |
kyōchō |
harmony, cooperation |
きずな |
絆 |
kizuna |
bonds, connection |
なかよし |
仲良し |
nakayoshi |
close friendship |
なかま |
仲間 |
nakama |
companions, fellows |
しんみつ |
親密 |
shinmitsu |
intimacy, closeness |
したしみ |
親しみ |
shitashimi |
familiarity, friendliness |
あこがれ |
憧れ |
akogare |
longing, admiration |
みれん |
未練 |
miren |
lingering attachment |
えん |
縁 |
en |
fate, connection, relationship |
こうえん |
後援 |
kōen |
support, sponsorship |
しんらいかん |
信頼感 |
shinraikan |
feeling of trust |
けんそん |
謙遜 |
kenson |
humility |
けんきょ |
謙虚 |
kenkyō |
modesty |
りかい |
理解 |
rikai |
understanding |
ふしん |
不信 |
fushin |
distrust |
そんしん |
損心 |
sonshin |
wounded pride in relations |
ぎり |
義理 |
giri |
obligation, duty in relationships |
おん |
恩 |
on |
favor, indebtedness |
おんがえし |
恩返し |
ongaeshi |
repayment of kindness |
けんか |
喧嘩 |
kenka |
quarrel, fight |
Complex & Nuanced Emotions
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
なつかしい |
懐かしい |
natsukashii |
nostalgic |
あんい |
安易 |
an’i |
easygoing, careless |
あいまい |
曖昧 |
aimai |
vague, ambiguous |
もどかしい |
– |
modokashii |
frustrating, impatient |
せつない |
切ない |
setsunai |
bittersweet, painful |
こころぼそい |
心細い |
kokorobosoi |
helpless, lonely |
こころづよい |
心強い |
kokorozuyoi |
reassuring |
ふしぎ |
不思議 |
fushigi |
mysterious |
あやしい |
怪しい |
ayashii |
suspicious |
きみょう |
奇妙 |
kimyō |
strange |
ふかい |
深い |
fukai |
deep (emotion, thought) |
じれったい |
– |
jirettai |
irritating, impatient |
ためらい |
躊躇い |
tamerai |
hesitation |
とまどい |
戸惑い |
tomadoi |
bewilderment |
あせり |
焦り |
aseri |
impatience |
こうふん |
興奮 |
kōfun |
arousal, excitement |
むなしさ |
虚しさ |
munashisa |
emptiness |
きょうしゅく |
恐縮 |
kyōshuku |
feeling obliged, humbled |
じゅうだい |
重大 |
jūdai |
grave, serious |
あんどかん |
安堵感 |
andokan |
feeling of relief |
ほっと |
– |
hotto |
relief (sigh of relief) |
うぬぼれ |
自惚れ |
unubore |
conceit |
じょうねつ |
情熱 |
jōnetsu |
passion |
あつい |
熱い |
atsui |
ardent, enthusiastic |
じょうじょう |
情状 |
jōjō |
circumstances, sentiments |
じょうじつ |
情実 |
jōjitsu |
personal feelings, favoritism |
けつい |
決意 |
ketsui |
determination |
いよく |
意欲 |
iyoku |
will, desire |
しんけん |
真剣 |
shinken |
seriousness |
きょうみ |
興味 |
kyōmi |
interest |
かんしん |
関心 |
kanshin |
concern, curiosity |
ふあんてい |
不安定 |
fuantei |
instability |
じゅんじょう |
純情 |
junjō |
pure-hearted |
じゅんすい |
純粋 |
junsui |
genuine, innocent |
まごころ |
真心 |
magokoro |
sincerity |
そんげん |
尊厳 |
songen |
dignity |
ちゅうせい |
忠誠 |
chūsei |
loyalty |
ぎせい |
犠牲 |
gisei |
sacrifice |
あきらめ |
諦め |
akirame |
resignation, acceptance |
あやまち |
過ち |
ayamachi |
fault, mistake |
こうかい |
後悔 |
kōkai |
remorse |
じゅうふく |
重複 |
jūfuku |
repetition (weariness of same) |
あんしんかん |
安心感 |
anshinkan |
sense of security |
いよくてき |
意欲的 |
iyokuteki |
motivated |
しんけいしつ |
神経質 |
shinkeishitsu |
nervous, high-strung |
きたい |
期待 |
kitai |
expectation |
つよき |
強気 |
tsuyoki |
confident, bullish |
よわき |
弱気 |
yowaki |
timid, fainthearted |
じゅんのう |
順応 |
junnō |
adaptability |
ふじゅんのう |
不順応 |
fujunnō |
maladjustment |
けんか |
喧嘩 |
kenka |
quarrel, fight |
Mastering Japanese feelings vocabulary is not only about learning words, it’s about understanding how emotions are perceived and expressed in Japanese culture. From everyday moods like genki or sabishii to nuanced states such as setsunai or natsukashii, each word carries cultural depth.
=>Visit the Mizii website or download the Mizii app from the App Store or Google Play today and start learn Japanese feelings vocabulary!
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