Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "感じる", "気がする", "痛感", "悪びれる"
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
痛感
つうかん (tsūkan)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
悪びれる
わるびれる (warubireru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "feel" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "感じる", "気がする", "痛感", "悪びれる" 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..."..
- 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..
- 悪びれる (わるびれる (warubireru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to feel ashamed, to be timid, to be abashed" and is used when Often used in the negative form.
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 "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.
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.
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.".