直感

• Reading: ちょっかん
• Romaji: chokkan
• Kanji breakdown: 直 (choku) — direct, straight; 感 (kan) — feeling, sense, emotion
• Pronunciation: /tɕok.kaɴ/

Meaning

Intuition; a gut feeling or instinct that arises without conscious reasoning.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (直感する). Refers to immediate, instinctive understanding without logical analysis. Often used interchangeably with 直観, though 直感 emphasises emotional/sensory intuition while 直観 leans more philosophical. Common in phrases like 直感的に (intuitively) and 直感を信じる (to trust one's intuition).

Examples

1. 直感的にこの仕事は自分に向いていると思った。 I intuitively felt that this job was right for me.
2. 何か危ないと直感したので引き返した。 I sensed something was dangerous and turned back.
3. 論理よりも直感を信じることも時には大切だ。 Sometimes it's important to trust your gut over logic.

Usage Guide

Context: decision-making, psychology, daily life, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 直 (choku, direct/straight) + 感 (kan, feeling/sense). Literally 'direct feeling,' describing knowledge or understanding that arrives immediately through sensation rather than through deliberate reasoning.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal