感動
Meaning: Deeply moved, touched emotionally — one of the most common and versatile expressions for being genuinely impressed or moved.
One of the most fundamental emotion words in Japanese, 感動 expresses being deeply moved or touched. It works across all registers — from a casual '感動した!' (I was so moved!) on social media to formal speeches. It can describe reactions to art, kindness, nature, achievements, or any experience that stirs the heart. 感動的 (kandouteki) is the adjective form meaning 'moving/touching.'
Examples
- この映画マジで感動した。絶対見て。 这部电影真的太感动了。你一定要看。Esta película me ha emocionado de verdad. Véela sí o sí.이 영화 진짜 감동했어. 꼭 봐.
- 初めて富士山を見たとき、感動で言葉が出なかった。 第一次看到富士山的时候,感动得说不出话来。La primera vez que vi el Monte Fuji me quedé sin palabras de la emoción.처음 후지산을 봤을 때 감동으로 말이 안 나왔어.
- お客さんからの手紙に感動して泣いちゃった。 收到客人的来信,感动得哭了出来。Me emocioné tanto con la carta de un cliente que me puse a llorar.손님한테서 온 편지에 감동해서 울어버렸어.
Pronunciation
/kaɴ.doː/
Usage Guide
Context: daily conversation, reviews, social media, formal
Tone: sincere, appreciative
✓ Do Say
- 感動した!素晴らしいスピーチだった。 (I was so moved! That was a wonderful speech.)太感动了!真是一场精彩的演讲。(我好感动!那真是一场出色的演讲。)¡Me ha emocionado mucho! Ha sido un discurso maravilloso. (I was so moved! That was a wonderful speech.)감동했어! 훌륭한 스피치였어. (I was so moved! That was a wonderful speech.)
- 感動的な映画だから、ハンカチ持っていって。 (It's a moving film, so bring a handkerchief.)是一部很感人的电影,记得带手帕。(这是一部催泪的电影,记得带纸巾。)Es una película muy emotiva, así que llévate pañuelos. (It's a moving film, so bring a handkerchief.)감동적인 영화니까 손수건 가져가. (It's a moving film, so bring a handkerchief.)
✗ Don't Say
- つまらないものに「感動した」と言うと皮肉に聞こえることがある (Saying 'kandou shita' about something boring can come across as sarcastic)对无聊的东西说'感動した'有时候会被当成是在讽刺Decir «kandou shita» sobre algo aburrido puede sonar sarcástico (Saying 'kandou shita' about something boring can come across as sarcastic)시시한 것에 '칸도 시타'라고 하면 비꼬는 것처럼 들릴 수 있다 (Saying 'kandou shita' about something boring can come across as sarcastic)
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 感動 with 感心 (kanshin, impressed/admiring) — 感動 is emotional and tear-inducing, while 感心 is more intellectual admiration
Origin & History
From Chinese 感動 (gǎndòng). Standard Japanese used across all registers since classical times. 感動した = 'I was so moved.'
Cultural Context
Era: Classical, timeless usage across all periods
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used universally across Japan. One of the first emotion words taught to Japanese language students. Appears constantly in movie reviews, travel writing, and daily conversation.
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