感極まる
Meaning: To be overwhelmed with emotion, moved to the point of tears — a literary expression for when feelings reach their absolute peak.
A classical Japanese expression combining 感 (feeling) and 極まる (to reach the extreme). Unlike casual emotion words, 感極まる carries weight and gravitas. It is commonly used in news reports about athletes crying after victories, politicians during resignation speeches, or anyone having a profoundly moving moment. It implies emotions so intense they overflow.
Examples
- 選手は優勝が決まった瞬間、感極まって涙を流した。 选手在夺冠的那一刻,激动万分,流下了眼泪。En el momento en que se confirmó el campeonato, el deportista, sobrecogido por la emoción, rompió a llorar.선수는 우승이 확정된 순간 감정이 북받쳐 눈물을 흘렸다.
- 卒業式で恩師の言葉に感極まる生徒が続出した。 毕业典礼上,被恩师的话感动到极致的学生接连不断。En la graduación, muchos alumnos se emocionaron profundamente con las palabras de su profesor.졸업식에서 은사의 말씀에 감정이 북받치는 학생이 속출했다.
- 20年ぶりの再会に感極まって声が出なかった。 时隔20年的重逢,激动得说不出话来。En el reencuentro después de veinte años, la emoción fue tan intensa que no me salían las palabras.20년 만의 재회에 감정이 북받쳐 목소리가 나오지 않았다.
Pronunciation
/kaɴ.ki.wa.ma.ɾɯ/
Usage Guide
Context: news, speeches, sports, formal writing
Tone: emotional, literary
✓ Do Say
- 感極まって言葉にならなかった。 (I was so overwhelmed with emotion I couldn't find words.)激动到说不出话来。(我太感动了,一句话都说不出来。)Estaba tan sobrecogido por la emoción que no encontraba palabras. (I was so overwhelmed with emotion I couldn't find words.)감정이 북받쳐 말을 잇지 못했다. (I was so overwhelmed with emotion I couldn't find words.)
- 彼女は感極まって涙が止まらなかった。 (She was so moved that she couldn't stop crying.)她激动得泪流不止。(她感动到无法停止哭泣。)Ella estaba tan conmovida que no podía dejar de llorar. (She was so moved that she couldn't stop crying.)그녀는 감정이 북받쳐 눈물이 멈추지 않았다. (She was so moved that she couldn't stop crying.)
✗ Don't Say
- ささいなことに「感極まった」と言うと大げさに聞こえる (Saying 'kan kiwamatta' about trivial things sounds melodramatic — reserve it for genuinely moving moments)对小事说'感極まった'听起来太夸张了——这个词应该留给真正感人至深的场合Decir «kan kiwamatta» por cualquier tontería suena excesivamente melodramático — resérvalo para momentos verdaderamente emotivos (Saying 'kan kiwamatta' about trivial things sounds melodramatic — reserve it for genuinely moving moments)사소한 일에 '칸 키와맛타'라고 하면 과장되게 들린다 (Saying 'kan kiwamatta' about trivial things sounds melodramatic — reserve it for genuinely moving moments)
Common Mistakes
- Using 感極まる for everyday situations — it implies a once-in-a-lifetime intensity and sounds exaggerated for minor events
Origin & History
Classical Japanese expression. 感 (feeling) + 極まる (to reach the extreme). Used historically in literature and formal speech for moments of overwhelming emotion.
Cultural Context
Era: Classical expression, timeless usage
Generation: All ages, understood universally
Social background: Educated/literary, but understood by all
Regional notes: Used across Japan. Frequently appears in sports reporting, graduation ceremonies, and documentary narration. A staple of Japanese emotional vocabulary in formal registers.
More From This Topic
More from Emotions & Reactions
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free