Lesson 17: Expressing Emotions (〜がる & More)

Expressing Your Own Emotions with Emotional Adjectives

In Japanese, a special category of adjectives is used to express emotions.
These emotional adjectives (感情形容詞 -> Kanjō keiyōshi) directly describe your own feelings and internal states.

For a quick reference list with 60+ feeling words and situation-based phrases, see our emotions in Japanese guide.

Common Emotional Adjectives

Using Emotional Adjectives (First-Person)

When talking about your own feelings, simply use the adjective directly:

Cultural Context for Expressing Emotions

In Japanese culture, directly expressing emotions is less common than in many Western cultures. However, when you do express emotions:

• Using emotional adjectives to describe your own feelings is straightforward
• Adding explanations (reasons) for your emotions is often appreciated
• The level of emotional expression may vary based on the social context

Cultural Note:
Japanese communication often emphasizes harmony (和 - wa) and reading the atmosphere (空気を読む - kūki o yomu). This means emotions are sometimes expressed indirectly or with restraint, especially in formal or public settings. Among close friends and family, more direct emotional expression is common.

Expressing Third-Person Emotional States with がる

In Japanese, emotional adjectives typically describe the speaker's own feelings. To describe someone else's emotions or how someone appears to feel, you attach がる to the adjective stem. This transforms the adjective into a verb-like expression meaning "seems to feel…" or "shows signs of feeling…"

Formation Rules

For い-adjectives:

1. Drop the final い
2. Add がる

For な-adjectives:

1. Use the stem (without な)
2. Add がる

For Desire Expressions:

The がる form is also used with desire expressions (～たい) when talking about others:

Uses in Different Tenses

The がる form conjugates like a regular う-verb:

• Present/Future:
  嬉うれしがる
  (ureshi-garu)
• Present/Future Polite:
  嬉うれしがります
  (ureshi-garimasu)
• Present Progressive:
  嬉うれしがっている
  (ureshi-gatte iru)
• Past:
  嬉うれしがった
  (ureshi-gatta)
• Negative:
  嬉うれしがらない
  (ureshi-garanai)

Examples in Context

Cultural Note:
The がる form is culturally important in Japanese, reflecting the belief that one cannot truly know another's feelings. Using this form shows respect for others' emotional privacy and acknowledges that you're describing observable behavior rather than claiming to know their inner state. This is particularly important in professional and formal contexts.

Adjective Intensifiers (とても、すごく、かなり、めっちゃ)

Japanese uses various intensifiers to strengthen emotional expressions. These adverbs modify adjectives to indicate the degree or intensity of emotions.

Common Intensifiers and Their Levels of Formality

Examples in Formal Settings

Examples in Casual Settings

Regional Variations

Different regions in Japan may use different intensifiers:

• めっちゃ
  (meccha) - Common in Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto)
• ちょー
  (chō) - Popular in Tokyo area
• がば
  (gaba) - Used in northern Japan
• ばり
  (bari) - Common in Kyushu

Usage Tip:
Always consider your relationship with the listener and the setting when choosing an intensifier. Using casual intensifiers like めっちゃ in formal situations may come across as inappropriate, while always using とても with close friends might sound overly formal or stiff.

Expressing Reasons for Emotions using ～から and ～ので

When expressing emotions in Japanese, it's often helpful to explain why you feel a certain way. Two common grammar patterns for giving reasons are ～から and ～ので, both meaning "because" or "since."

～から vs. ～ので: Key Differences

Formation with Different Parts of Speech

For Verbs

• Plain form + から/ので
  行いくから
  (iku kara) - because (I/someone) will go

  行いくので
  (iku node) - because (I/someone) will go

For い-Adjectives

• Direct connection + から/ので
  楽たのしいから
  (tanoshii kara) - because (it's) fun

  楽たのしいので
  (tanoshii node) - because (it's) fun

For な-Adjectives and Nouns

• Add な before ので; だ before から
  静しずかだから
  (shizuka da kara) - because (it's) quiet

  静しずかなので
  (shizuka na node) - because (it's) quiet

  学生がくせいだから
  (gakusei da kara) - because (I'm) a student

  学生がくせいなので
  (gakusei na node) - because (I'm) a student

Examples with から (Casual)

Examples with ので (Polite)

Cultural Context:
In Japanese communication, explaining the reasons behind your emotions creates context and helps maintain harmony. This is especially important in work and social relationships. While western communication might consider emotional explanations unnecessary, in Japanese culture, providing reasons helps others understand your perspective and shows consideration for the group dynamic.

Empathetic Responses to Emotions

In Japanese conversation, responding appropriately to others' emotions is crucial. There are specific phrases and patterns used to show empathy, sympathy, and understanding.

Common Empathetic Responses

Responding to Hardship

大変たいへんでしたね
That must have been difficult

Responding to Good News

良よかったですね
That's great/I'm glad

Neutral Acknowledgment

そうですか
I see/Is that so

Responding to Disappointment

残念ざんねんですね
That's too bad

Acknowledging Someone's Effort

お疲つかれ様さまでした
Thank you for your hard work

Examples of Emotional Exchanges

Responding to Happiness

Responding to Difficulties

Responding to Sadness

Responding to Frustration

Non-verbal Empathetic Responses

In Japanese communication, non-verbal cues are also important:

• うなずき (unazuki) - Nodding to show understanding
• 相づち (aizuchi) - Verbal backchanneling ("un", "hai", "sō desu ne")
• Facial expressions that match the emotional tone

Cultural Note:
Japanese communication often emphasizes empathy (共感 - kyōkan) and "reading the air" (空気を読む - kūki o yomu). Showing that you understand someone's feelings, even if you don't express your own emotions strongly, is highly valued in Japanese culture. The responses above help create connection while respecting emotional boundaries.

Emotional Expressions in Casual vs. Formal Japanese

The way emotions are expressed in Japanese changes significantly depending on the formality level. Let's examine how emotional expressions differ between casual and formal settings.

Formality Comparison Chart

Happiness

嬉うれしい！
Casual: I'm happy!

嬉うれしく思おもいます
Formal: I feel pleased

Anger

腹はらが立たつ！
Casual: I'm angry!

不快ふかいに感かんじております
Formal: I feel displeased

Sadness

悲かなしい
Casual: I'm sad

残念ざんねんに思おもいます
Formal: I find it regrettable

Frustration

イライラする
Casual: I'm irritated

困惑こんわくしております
Formal: I am perplexed/troubled

Excitement

ワクワクする！
Casual: I'm excited!

楽たのしみにしております
Formal: I am looking forward to it

Casual Emotional Expressions

In casual settings (friends, family), emotions can be expressed more directly:

Formal Emotional Expressions

In formal settings (work, with superiors, business), emotions are expressed more indirectly:

Emotion-Specific Vocabulary

Some emotions have specific vocabulary that's used primarily in either casual or formal contexts:

Casual-Only Expressions

• テンション高い (tenshon takai)
  "high tension"/excited

• ムカつく (mukatsuku)
  irritated/annoyed

• ドキドキする (dokidoki suru)
  heart racing (nervousness/excitement)

Formal-Only Expressions

• 恐縮きょうしゅくです
  (kyōshuku desu) - I'm humbled/grateful
• 光栄こうえいです
  (kōei desu) - I'm honored
• 申もうし訳わけございません
  (mōshiwake gozaimasen) - I'm terribly sorry

Cultural Note:
In formal Japanese contexts, especially business settings, emotional restraint is considered professional. Rather than expressing emotions directly, formal Japanese tends to use standardized phrases that acknowledge feelings while maintaining decorum. This creates a predictable communication environment where everyone understands the emotional subtext without disrupting the professional atmosphere.

Onomatopoeic Emotional Expressions

Japanese has a rich vocabulary of onomatopoeic words (擬態語 - gitaigo) that express emotional and psychological states. These colorful expressions add nuance and vividness to emotional descriptions.

Common Emotional Onomatopoeia

ワクワク (wakuwaku)

Excitement, anticipation
旅行りょこうでワクワクしています
I'm excited about the trip

ドキドキ (dokidoki)

Nervous, heart pounding
彼かれに会あうとドキドキします
My heart pounds when I meet him

イライラ (iraira)

Irritated, annoyed
渋滞じゅうたいでイライラしました
I got irritated in the traffic jam

ウキウキ (ukiuki)

Cheerful, buoyant feeling
週末しゅうまつが近ちかづいてウキウキしています
I'm cheerful as the weekend approaches

ソワソワ (sowasowa)

Restless, fidgety
結果けっかを待まってソワソワしている
I'm restless waiting for the results

モヤモヤ (moyamoya)

Fuzzy, unclear feelings
何なにかモヤモヤしています
I have unclear feelings about something

ムカムカ (mukamuka)

Nauseated, disgusted
彼かれの態度たいどにムカムカする
I feel disgusted by his attitude

ハラハラ (harahara)

Nervous, on edge
試合しあいを見みてハラハラした
I was on edge watching the match

Using Emotional Onomatopoeia in Sentences

Most of these expressions are used with the verb する to form emotional predicates:

Onomatopoeia in Different Contexts

Emotional onomatopoeia can be used in different grammatical forms:

Cultural Note:
These emotional onomatopoeic expressions are used frequently in manga and anime but are also common in everyday speech. They're particularly useful when precise emotional vocabulary might be difficult to find. These expressions are more acceptable in casual settings, but some (like ドキドキ or ワクワク) have found their way into business contexts as well, especially in marketing and advertising.

Putting It All Together: Emotional Conversations

Let's examine complete conversations that incorporate the various emotional expression patterns we've studied.

Conversation: Casual Setting (Friends)

A: 昨日きのうの映画えいが、どうだった？
(Kinō no eiga, dō datta?)
"How was the movie yesterday?"

B: めっちゃ怖こわかった！友達ともだち
がドキドキするから見みに行いったけど、
私わたしも怖こわがっちゃった。
(Meccha kowakatta! Tomodachi ga dokidoki suru kara mi ni itta kedo, watashi mo kowagatchatta.)
"It was super scary! I went because my friend gets excited by scary movies, but I ended up being scared too."

A: 本当ほんとう？映画館えいがかんで叫さけんだりした？
(Hontō? Eigakan de sakendari shita?)
"Really? Did you scream in the theater?"

B: ううん、でも隣となりの人ひとが怖こわがってたよ。
面白おもしろかったから、今度こんど一緒いっしょに行いこうよ！
(Uun, demo tonari no hito ga kowagattetayo. Omoshirokatta kara, kondo issho ni ikō yo!)
"No, but the person next to me was scared. It was interesting, so let's go together next time!"

A: いいね！ワクワクする！
(Ii ne! Wakuwaku suru!)
"Sounds good! I'm excited!"

Conversation: Formal Setting (Workplace)

A: 田中たなかさん、
昨日きのうのプレゼンテーションはいかがでしたか？
(Tanaka-san, kinō no purezentēshon wa ikaga deshita ka?)
"Tanaka-san, how was yesterday's presentation?"

B: おかげさまで上手じょうずくできたと思おもいます。
社長しゃちょうも喜よろこんでいらっしゃいました。
(Okage-sama de jōzu ku dekita to omoimasu. Shachō mo yorokonde irasshaimashita.)
"Thanks to you, I think it went well. The company president also seemed pleased."

A: それは良よかったですね。準備じゅんびが大変たいへんだったので、
心配しんぱいしておりました。
(Sore wa yokatta desu ne. Junbi ga taihen datta node, shinpai shite orimashita.)
"That's good to hear. I was worried because the preparation was difficult."

B: ご心配しんぱいをおかけして申もうし訳わけございませんでした。
次回じかいはもっと早はやく準備じゅんびいたします。
(Go-shinpai o okake shite mōshiwake gozaimasen deshita. Jikai wa motto hayaku junbi itashimasu.)
"I'm very sorry to have caused you concern. Next time I'll prepare earlier."

Conversation: Mixed Setting (Service Encounter)

A: (店員てんいん) いらっしゃいませ。
お探さがしのものはありますか？
(Irasshaimase. O-sagashi no mono wa arimasu ka?)
"Welcome. Is there something you're looking for?"

B: (客きゃく) あの、友達ともだちの
誕生日たんじょうびプレゼントを探さがしているんですが、
何なにがいいか迷まよっています。
(Ano, tomodachi no tanjōbi purezento o sagashite irun desu ga, nani ga ii ka mayotte imasu.)
"Um, I'm looking for a birthday present for my friend, but I'm unsure what would be good."

A: そうですか。どのような方かたへのプレゼントでしょうか？
(Sō desu ka. Dono yōna kata e no purezento deshō ka?)
"I see. What kind of person is the present for?"

B: 女性じょせいの友達ともだちなんですけど、
香水こうすいが好すきみたいです。
(Josei no tomodachi nan desu kedo, kōsui ga suki mitai desu.)
"It's for a female friend, and she seems to like perfume."

A: わかりました。こちらの香水こうすいがおすすめです。
若わかい女性じょせいに人気にんきがありますよ。
(Wakarimashita. Kochira no kōsui ga osusume desu. Wakai josei ni ninki ga arimasu yo.)
"I understand. I recommend this perfume. It's popular among young women."

B: わあ、いいですね！これにします。友達ともだちが
喜よろこぶと思おもいます。
(Wā, ii desu ne! Kore ni shimasu. Tomodachi ga yorokobu to omoimasu.)
"Wow, that's nice! I'll take this. I think my friend will be happy."

Practical Tip:
Notice how the level of emotional expression changes based on context. In casual settings, emotions are expressed directly with intensifiers and onomatopoeia. In formal settings, emotions are expressed indirectly with polite forms and explanations. In mixed settings like service encounters, the customer might be slightly casual while the staff maintains formal language. Mastering these contextual shifts is key to natural emotional expression in Japanese.