Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Feel" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "feel", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
感じる
かんじる (kanjiru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
身につまされる
みにつまされる (mi ni tsumasareru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "feel" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 感じる and 身につまされる.
In Japanese, 感じる (かんじる (kanjiru)) is typically associated with "to feel, to sense" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 感情や感覚、ある印象などを心や体でとらえること。他動詞。/ To perceive emotions, sensations, or impressions with one's mind or body. Transitive verb..
On the other hand, 身につまされる (みにつまされる (mi ni tsumasareru)) maps to "to feel for someone, to sympathize deeply, to be touched to the quick (because one's own situation is similar)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Expresses deep empathy where one feels another's suffering or situation as if it were their own, often due to similar past experiences or current circumstances.. A literal translation of "feel" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "感じる"
寒さを感じます。
I feel cold.
Bilingual Context for "身につまされる"
彼の苦労話を聞いて、私自身の経験と重なり身につまされた。
Hearing about his hardships, I was deeply sympathetic as it overlapped with my own experiences.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "寒さを感じます。" (Meaning: "I feel cold.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "感じる" fits here because it means "to feel, to sense" in the context of: "I feel cold.". "身につまされる" represents "to feel for someone, to sympathize deeply, to be touched to the quick (because one's own situation is similar)".