Japanese Vocabulary and Phrases for Describing Emotions
Describing emotions is never easy, even in one's native language. Describing emotions in Japanese? No way. That sounds like an impossible task, reserved for the lucky few who have either truly achieved fluency or are bold enough to risk being completely misunderstood.
However, after living in Japan for a few years, I’ve learned that describing emotions in Japanese is actually quite easy. In fact, I would argue that it’s almost easier than doing so in English. Why? Well, no matter what emotion you are feeling in any situation, all you ever have to say in Japanese is:
ヤバイ (Yabai)
Ok, Ok. That was a joke. But, only just a little. Because honestly, it’s really not that difficult to express some basic emotions in Japanese. And, if you keep reading, I’ll even show you why the word you just learned (« ヤバイ ») is actually one of the most useful - and silly words - you can ever use. Let’s check it out.
How do the Japanese describe emotions?
The Japanese people have a reputation around the world for being a bit shy, reserved, and conservative, especially when it comes to outward expressions of their feelings.
This is generally because politeness and professionalism is ingrained in their language, and requires a certain way of speaking towards strangers and customers.
Yet, for anyone who has spent enough time in Japan to ever attend a nomikai (drinking party), it becomes obvious just how quickly that front is thrown aside and we see the sometimes wild personalities hiding just below the surface.
This is rather consistent culturally speaking throughout Japan, and it takes some time to become accustomed to. And while such an example is just one small facet of Japanese culture, it goes to show that there are quite a few things that affect how one should, or should not, express oneself in this language.
Among them, there are three that English speakers often find challenging when it comes to describing how they feel in Japanese:
- There is often no need to say the equivalent of “I am feeling. . .”
- Many emotions and feelings in Japanese are verbs, rather than adjectives
- Some things don’t make sense in certain contexts
Put together, knowing what to say can seem rather confusing at first, but it honestly becomes less and less of an issue as one quickly becomes more proficient.
Japanese words and phrases for emotions
The Japanese verb “感じる” means “to feel”; this is a frequently used term, as it appears among the 1000 most common Japanese words. It is, however, used in a different way than its English counterpart.
How NOT to use 感じる (kanjiru/to feel)
When we speak in English, it’s completely natural to say:
“I feel happy.”
So, it naturally follows that when speaking in Japanese you might want to say the exact same like:
私は嬉しく感じます。(watashi wa ureshiku kanji masu.)
I feel happy.
However, in Japanese this actually ends up sounding a bit stiff and unnatural. And while it’s not exactly wrong to speak like this, you will almost never hear anyone else doing so. You may see something similar in formal writing, but that’s about it.
What should you say then? Well, this is one of the few times where Japanese gets to be super simple. All you need to do is say the word that describes your feeling by itself:
嬉しい / うれしい
Happy.
Even though this may feel strange at first, since you’re essentially just saying the word for “happy,” it is perfectly acceptable and understandable in Japanese.
And, as you may already suspect, there is almost no need to point out that you yourself are the one experiencing those feelings because it is usually assumed that people are talking about their own emotions unless explicitly stated.
How TO use 感じる (kanjiru/to feel)
Alright, since we went way out of our way to learn how to not use this verb, it only makes sense to set aside a quick moment on its ”proper” usage. The quickest way to understand is with a few examples:
どう感じたのですか？(dou kanjita no desu ka?)
How did you feel?
In this case, the person asking the question may be enquiring about another’s emotional state, or their literal physical reactions to something else. Either way, an appropriate response to this question, or just as its own statement could be:
それがちょっと変な感じしました。(sore ga chotto henna kanji shimashita)
It felt a bit weird.
To put it simply, this verb is best used when trying to describe or explain something that is less of an emotional experience and more of a tangible one. There’s more, of course, but these are just the basics! Make sense, though? Then, let’s get to the good stuff now.
Expressing happiness and excitement in Japanese
You already learned one of the most basic ways to say “I’m happy” in Japanese, but there are a few more pieces of vocabulary and phrases that will go a long way on your journey.
When employees are happy (or someone else is)
One of the most common Japanese words you’ll hear, especially in restaurants is:
喜んで！(Yorokonde!)
“With pleasure! / Of course!”
By itself, this verb means almost the exact same thing as « 嬉しい ». However, it generally is used more for describing someone else’s apparent happiness:
彼は喜んでいます。(kare wa yorokonde imasu)
He is happy.
Or, oddly enough, when saying you - as a representative of a larger group - are happy. As such, employees will often happily respond to requests with this phrase. You will almost never hear someone use this word to describe themselves outside of these specific moments.
When there is ongoing happiness
When there is something that brings you happiness in a specific moment, simply saying « うれしい » is perfectly fine.
But when there is a sense of long-term, lasting elation there is a better word for that which also happens to be a noun: 幸せ (shiawase).
幸せな生活をします。(shiawasena seikatsu o shimasu)
I’m living a happy life
彼らは幸せな家族と思います。(karera wa shiawasena kazoku to omoi masu)
They are a happy family, I believe.
When anything feels great
Stepping into an onsen (温泉 - Japanese hot spring) after a hard day’s work on an exceptionally cold day, there is probably only one thing you'll hear other patrons whispering to themselves (because it’s also considered rude to talk inside the baths):
気持ちいい~ / きもちいい~ (kimochi ii)
Ah, it feels so good.
Feel free to elongate the final sound of this phrase as much as you wish, just like letting out a long sigh. And yes, it also works for when you walk into a cool, air-conditioned room in the middle of August.
Expressing excitement in Japanese
If something happens that is good news, fills you with sudden joy, or is generally fun:
やった！ (yatta!)
Woohoo! / Yay! / Alright!
楽しい！ (tanoshii!)
This is fun!
えええ？ヤバイ！ (eee? yabai!)
Whaaat? No way!
If there is something that you are looking forward to doing or experiencing:
この週末を楽しみにしています。(kono shumatsu o tanoshi mini shitei masu)
I’m looking forward to this weekend.
When you are feeling excited about anything:
ワクワクする。(waku waku suru)
I’m getting excited.
Expressing negative emotions in Japanese
You’re not always going to be feeling your absolute best, so it’s good to be able to explain things as such. Thankfully, everything we’ve learned thus far still applies, and there’s more than enough Japanese vocabulary to keep you occupied.
Expressing sadness in Japanese
The simplest way in Japanese to say that you are unhappy is:
悲しいです / かなしいです (kanashii desu)
I’m sad.
However, if you’re not actually that upset about something, there is a very fun and often cute way to express the same feeling a bit more playfully:
ぴえん (pien)
Oh no, so sad. / Boohoo, waaaah, woe is me.
Originally coming from the Kansai region, this playful complaint is one of the many slang terms younger kids tend to use. This being the case, it is a very casual way of speaking and shouldn’t be used at any other time.
However, when said by a foreigner in particular, you’re guaranteed to get some surprised laughter in response, especially if you say it with a straight face and little emotion.
How to say you’re tired in Japanese
No matter whether you’re at work, just finished hiking Mt. Fuji, or are chronically sleep-deprived you can say:
疲れています / つかれています (tsukarete imasu)
I’m tired.
Although, most people usually just use the more casual and shortened past tense form with a little extra emotion:
疲れた！ / つかれた！ (tsukareta!)
I’m so tired!
In fact, being tired is such a given in Japanese culture that one of the most common phrases you’ll hear amongst coworkers is:
お疲れ様です / お疲れ様でした (o tsukare sama desu / o tsukare sama deshita)
You must be tired / Thank you for your hard work
And if all else doesn’t quite seem to get your point across, there is always letting out an exhausted noise and muttering:
はあああ、ヤバイ。(haaaa, yabai)
Gosh, this sucks.
Expressing indisposition in Japanese
Being around so many new and different things, getting sick happens a little easier when you’re living overseas:
気持ち悪いです (kimochi warui desu)
I’m not feeling well.
Just as well, if anything hurts you can say:
私の _________ が痛いです。(watashi no _________ ga itai desu)
My _____________ is in pain.
痛い！ (itai!)
Ow!
Expressing anger in Japanese
In Japanese society, public displays of anger are rarely seen. It doesn’t necessarily mean that no one is angry, it just means there are other ways of showing it.
However, if you must express your displeasure there are some simple Japanese phrases you can use:
怒っている (okotte iru)
I’m angry.
腹たつ！ (hara tatsu)
I’m pissed off!
イライラするな (ira ira suru na)
Stop irritating me.
Even though it may already be obvious, all of these are rather impolite to say outright, so please be careful not to use them unless absolutely necessary.
More on this in this article about expressing opinions in Japanese.
Expressing shock or surprise in Japanese
In Japan, any number of things could happen that are unexpected. Whether it’s a response to one of the many natural disasters that occur here or disbelief at the amazing festival you just found, here are some Japanese phrases you can use to express shock or surprise:
Japanese phrases for expressing general disbelief
それが信じられない (sore ga shinji rarenai)
I can’t believe it.
まさか！ (masaka!)
No way!
うそ！ (uso!)
No way! / Lies!
Japanese phrases for expressing sudden surprise
This one works well for when something like a loud noise happens, or you bump into someone while walking around a corner, and it was a bit shocking:
あ、びくりした！ (Ah, bikuri shita!)
Oh, that scared me!
え、ヤバイ! (eh, yabai!)
Oh, geez!
Or, if what you just experienced was legitimately frightening, such as a horror movie or an earthquake:
怖い！ / こわい！ (Kowai!)
So scary!
ひどい！ (Hidoi!)
Awful! / Terrible!
ヤバイ！ (Yabai!)
Oh my god!
Japanese phrases for expressing embarrassment
And of course, whenever there is a moment that causes shame or other similar feelings:
恥ずかしい / はずかしい (hazukashii)
Oh no, that’s embarrassing
えへ、ヤバイ. . . (eh heh, yabai . . .)
Oh geez, oh geez . . .
Expressing gratitude in Japanese
It’s important to know how to express genuine feelings of gratitude no matter what language you’re speaking, or whatever culture you’re assimilating into.
For those who have studied Japanese to any extent, they know that the first and easiest thing to say is:
ありがとうございます。(arigato gozai masu)
Thank you very much.
Across most situations, this single phrase will suffice. In fact, if you really wanted to be extra thankful, you could add « ども » before saying « ありがとうございます。»
However, there are a couple distinct instances where it is more appropriate to use an entirely different Japanese expression.
Gratitude to someone you’re indebted to
Whether it’s living in a foreign country or working in a company, much of your time will be spent relying on others to help you when you’re unsure of what to do.
And when it comes time for you to leave, there is a specific Japanese phrase used to express gratitude:
お世話になります。(o sewa ni nari masu)
Thank you for all you have done for me / I am indebted to you
This is a very professional thing to say, and though it may not be the best phrase to use with friends, it will get your point across in a profound and culturally sensitive manner either way.
Expressing gratitude for something specific in Japanese
Similar to the previous phase, except that the following Japanese phrases are better for giving thanks in instances where you want to provide an exact reason for your gratitude:
おかげさまで日本に住みやすかった。(o kage sama de nihon ni sumi yasu katta)
Thanks to you, it was easy to live in Japan.
おかげさまで日本語を学ぶことができました。(o kage sama de nihongo o manabu koto ga dekimashita)
Thanks to you, I was able to learn Japanese.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has convinced you that you can easily express emotions in Japanese, even if you haven't reached complete fluency in the language
Just remember that people the world over are essentially the same. We all experience and feel the same things, and we will understand what someone else is trying to communicate, as long as they try.
And hopefully by now, you know that you can always just say « ヤバイ » when in doubt.
