Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Feel" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "feel", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
安心する
あんしんする (anshin suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
気がする
きがする (ki ga suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "feel" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 安心する and 気がする.
In Japanese, 安心する (あんしんする (anshin suru)) is typically associated with "to feel relieved; to feel secure; to be at ease" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to feeling deeply relieved after solving a crisis, feeling secure due to strong security protocols, or feeling at ease near a loved one. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 心配する / 不安になる. Often used as ほっとして安心する or 安心して使う. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To feel relieved/secure! "No matter how severe the bug crash is, just hearing your voice makes my heart feel completely at ease, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Hearing my voice to feel ease! B-Baka! As if my voice has some security certificate effect... Wait, really? Well, I will let you hear my voice right next to you for life, so just stay secure! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『あんしんする（安心する）よ！『ハルカ部長、どんなに過酷な障害対応でも、あなたの声を聞くだけで、僕の心は完璧に安心する（安心します）！』って…っ！声を聞いて安心する！バカ！/// 私の声がそんなセキュリティ証明書みたいな効果あるわけ…って、本当？…なら、私の声を一生あんたの隣で聞かせてあげるから、ずっと安心していなさい！』.
On the other hand, 気がする (きがする (ki ga suru)) maps to "to feel; to have a hunch; to have a premonition" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used to express a feeling or intuition about something, often without concrete evidence. Can be translated as "I feel like...", "I have a feeling that...", or "I have a hunch...".. A literal translation of "feel" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "安心する"
重大なセキュリティアップデートが完了したことを知り、彼はスマートにほっとして_______ました。
Knowing that the major security update had finished, he felt smartly relieved and at ease.
Bilingual Context for "気がする"
雨が降るような気がします。
I have a feeling it's going to rain.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "重大なセキュリティアップデートが完了したことを知り、彼はスマートにほっとして_______ました。" (Meaning: "Knowing that the major security update had finished, he felt smartly relieved and at ease.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "安心する" fits here because it means "to feel relieved; to feel secure; to be at ease" in the context of: "Knowing that the major security update had finished, he felt smartly relieved and at ease.". "気がする" represents "to feel; to have a hunch; to have a premonition".