Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Feel" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "feel", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
身につまされる
みにつまされる (mi ni tsumasareru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
悪びれる
わるびれる (warubireru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "feel" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 身につまされる and 悪びれる.
In Japanese, 身につまされる (みにつまされる (mi ni tsumasareru)) is typically associated with "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..
On the other hand, 悪びれる (わるびれる (warubireru)) maps to "to feel ashamed, to be timid, to be abashed" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used in the negative form. A literal translation of "feel" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "悪びれる"
彼は自分が間違っていると分かっていても、全く悪びれる様子がなかった。
He showed no sign of shame, even though he knew he was wrong.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "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。" (Meaning: "Hearing about his hardships, I was deeply sympathetic as it overlapped with my own experiences.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "身につまされる" fits here because it means "to feel for someone, to sympathize deeply, to be touched to the quick (because one's own situation is similar)" in the context of: "Hearing about his hardships, I was deeply sympathetic as it overlapped with my own experiences.". "悪びれる" represents "to feel ashamed, to be timid, to be abashed".