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Synonym Nuance VS

How to say "Deep" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "deep", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

感動

かんどう (kandou)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

耽読

たんどく (tandoku)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "deep" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 感動 and 耽読. In Japanese, 感動 (かんどう (kandou)) is typically associated with "deep emotion, impression, being moved" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Often used with する. On the other hand, 耽読 (たんどく (tandoku)) maps to "deep reading, avid reading, perusing avidly" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents 一つの書物や文章に深く没頭して読むこと。時間を忘れて読みふける様子を表し、非常に集中して楽しんでいるニュアンスがあります。It means to deeply immerse oneself in reading a single book or text. It describes the state of becoming engrossed in reading, forgetting the passage of time, and has the nuance of being highly concentrated and enjoying it.. A literal translation of "deep" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "感動"
彼のスピーチにとても感動しました。
I was deeply moved by his speech.
Bilingual Context for "耽読"
彼は図書館で一日中、歴史書を耽読していた。
He spent all day in the library, avidly reading history books.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "彼のスピーチにとても ___ しました。" (Meaning: "I was deeply moved by his speech.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "感動" fits here because it means "deep emotion, impression, being moved" in the context of: "I was deeply moved by his speech.". "耽読" represents "deep reading, avid reading, perusing avidly".