Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Feel" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "feel", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
気がする
きがする (ki ga suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
しゅんとする
しゅんとする (shun to suru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "feel" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 気がする and しゅんとする.
In Japanese, 気がする (きがする (ki ga suru)) is typically associated with "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..."..
On the other hand, しゅんとする (しゅんとする (shun to suru)) maps to "to feel dejected, to look crestfallen, to droop" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents An onomatopoeic expression describing a sudden feeling of sadness, disappointment, or dejection, often visible in one's posture, expression, or mood. It can also describe plants drooping.. A literal translation of "feel" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "しゅんとする"
先生に叱られて、子供はしゅんとしてしまった。
The child became crestfallen after being scolded by the teacher.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "雨が降るような気がします。" (Meaning: "I have a feeling it's going to rain.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "気がする" fits here because it means "to feel; to have a hunch; to have a premonition" in the context of: "I have a feeling it's going to rain.". "しゅんとする" represents "to feel dejected, to look crestfallen, to droop".