心情

• Reading: しんじょう
• Romaji: shinjou
• Kanji breakdown: 心 (shin) — heart, mind; 情 (jō) — emotion, feeling, sympathy
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.dʑoː/

Meaning

Sentiment; feelings; one's heart. The emotional state or inner feelings of a person.

A noun referring to a person's heartfelt emotions or inner sentiments. While similar to 心境, 心情 places more emphasis on the emotional content itself rather than the overall mental state. Frequently used in literary analysis to discuss characters' feelings, and in empathetic statements about understanding someone's emotional experience.

Examples

1. 被害者の心情を考えると胸が痛む。 It's heartbreaking to think about the victim's feelings.
2. 小説の登場人物の心情を読み取る練習をした。 I practiced reading the emotions of the novel's characters.
3. 親として子供を送り出す心情は言葉にできない。 The feelings of sending a child off into the world as a parent are beyond words.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, empathy, formal discussion

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 心 (shin, heart/mind) + 情 (jō, emotion/feeling). Literally 'heart-emotion' — the feelings that dwell in the heart.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal