🦅 Project Eagle
Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "感じる", "気がする", "気軽に", "がっくり", "痛感"

All represent the core concept "feel", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

感じる

かんじる (kanjiru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

気がする

きがする (ki ga suru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

気軽に

きがるに (kigaruni)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

がっくり

がっくり (gakkuri)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E

痛感

つうかん (tsūkan)
N2 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "feel" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "感じる", "気がする", "気軽に", "がっくり", "痛感" based on context.
  • 感じる (かんじる (kanjiru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to feel, to sense" and is used when 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..
  • 気がする (きがする (ki ga suru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to feel; to have a hunch; to have a premonition" and is used when 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..."..
  • 気軽に (きがるに (kigaruni) - Level: N3): Maps to "feel free to; without hesitation; casually; readily" and is used when 遠慮したり、かしこまったりせず、軽やかで自由な様子を表す副詞。.
  • がっくり (がっくり (gakkuri) - Level: N2): Maps to "feel dejected; lose heart; slump; collapse" and is used when 期待外れやショックで、がっかりと気落ちする様子や、体が一気に崩れ落ちる様子を表す。/ Expresses a sudden feeling of disappointment, shock, or despair, often accompanied by a physical slump or drop. Can also describe a sudden collapse..
  • 痛感 (つうかん (tsūkan) - Level: N2): Maps to "Feel keenly; keenly realize; acutely feel" and is used when Often used when one strongly feels regret, responsibility, or the seriousness of a situation, usually after a negative experience or realization. Can be used for positive things too, but less common..
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "感じる"
寒さを感じます。
I feel cold.
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.
Context for "気軽に"
困ったことがあったら、気軽に相談してください。
If you have any problems, please feel free to consult me.
Context for "がっくり"
試験に落ちて、彼はがっくりと肩を落とした。
He failed the exam and slumped his shoulders in disappointment.
Context for "痛感"
自分の不注意が招いた結果を痛感した。
I keenly felt the consequences brought about by my own carelessness.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

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" is correct here because it represents "to feel, to sense" in the context: "I feel cold.".

💡 Practice with AI! Live

Don't just read. Practice speaking this grammar with our interactive AI coach for free!

Try AI Speaking 👉