Emotions and Psychology Vocabulary
This lesson covers key terms related to emotions and psychology, helping you describe feelings, moods, and mental states more precisely in Japanese. Practice using these words in context to improve your expressive ability at the N3 level.
🎯 Goal: Learn N3 vocabulary related to emotions and psychology.
Lesson Content
Learning Goal
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to recognize and use 20 N3-level vocabulary words related to emotions, psychology, and everyday situations. You'll understand subtle differences between similar words (like 信頼 vs. 信用) and be able to use them in natural sentences.
Concept
Japanese vocabulary for emotions and psychology often involves nuanced distinctions. For example, there are multiple words for "trust" or "belief," each with a slightly different shade of meaning. This lesson groups vocabulary by theme to help you grasp these differences naturally.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
1. Trust and Belief (信頼, 信用, 信念)
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Key Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 信頼 | しんらい | reliance, trust | Trust in someone's character or ability (deep, personal) |
| 信用 | しんよう | confidence, credit | Trust based on past performance or reputation (practical) |
| 信念 | しんねん | belief, faith, conviction | A strong personal belief or principle |
Example sentences:
- 彼は信頼できる人です。 (かれ は しんらい できる ひと です。) — He is a trustworthy person.
- この会社は信用できる。 (この かいしゃ は しんよう できる。) — This company is reliable (has good credit/reputation).
- 彼女は自分の信念を曲げない。 (かのじょ は じぶん の しんねん を まげない。) — She doesn't bend her convictions.
2. Repair and Correction (修理, 修正)
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Key Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 修理 | しゅうり | repairing, mending | Fixing something broken (physical objects) |
| 修正 | しゅうせい | amendment, correction | Fixing errors or mistakes (documents, plans) |
Example sentences:
- 時計を修理に出した。 (とけい を しゅうり に だした。) — I sent the watch for repair.
- 書類を修正してください。 (しょるい を しゅうせい して ください。) — Please correct the document.
3. Stopping and Waiting (停車, 停電, 停留所)
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Key Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 停車 | ていしゃ | stopping (of a train/car) | The act of stopping a vehicle |
| 停電 | ていでん | power outage, blackout | Electricity stops |
| 停留所 | ていりゅうじょ | bus stop, tram stop | A fixed stop for public transport |
Example sentences:
- 次の駅で停車します。 (つぎ の えき で ていしゃ します。) — The train will stop at the next station.
- 昨夜、停電があった。 (さくや、ていでん が あった。) — There was a power outage last night.
- バス停留所で待っています。 (バス ていりゅうじょ で まって います。) — I'm waiting at the bus stop.
4. Chance and Unexpectedness (偶然, 偶々)
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Key Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 偶然 | ぐうぜん | by chance, unexpectedly | Used as a noun or adverb; "coincidence" |
| 偶々 | たまたま | casually, unexpectedly | More casual, adverb only; "happened to" |
Example sentences:
- 偶然彼に会った。 (ぐうぜん かれ に あった。) — I met him by chance.
- 偶々同じ電車に乗った。 (たまたま おなじ でんしゃ に のった。) — I happened to get on the same train.
5. Other Key Words
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 信号 | しんごう | signal, traffic light | 信号を渡る (しんごう を わたる) — cross at the traffic light |
| 俳優 | はいゆう | actor, actress | 彼は有名な俳優だ (かれ は ゆうめい な はいゆう だ) — He is a famous actor |
| 個人 | こじん | individual, personal | 個人の意見 (こじん の いけん) — personal opinion |
| 倒す | たおす | to bring down, defeat | 敵を倒す (てき を たおす) — defeat the enemy |
| 候補 | こうほ | candidate | 社長候補 (しゃちょう こうほ) — candidate for president |
| 借金 | しゃっきん | debt, loan | 借金を返す (しゃっきん を かえす) — repay a debt |
| 値 | あたい / ね | price, cost | 値が高い (ね が たかい) — the price is high |
| 偉大 | いだい | greatness | 偉大な人物 (いだい な じんぶつ) — a great person |
| 偖 | さて | well, now, then | 偖、次に行こう (さて、つぎ に いこう) — Well, let's move on |
| 備える | そなえる | to furnish, provide for | 地震に備える (じしん に そなえる) — prepare for an earthquake |
Mini Examples
- 彼の信念は強い。 (かれ の しんねん は つよい。) — His conviction is strong.
- この店は信用できる。 (この みせ は しんよう できる。) — This shop is trustworthy.
- 偶々彼女に会った。 (たまたま かのじょ に あった。) — I happened to meet her.
- 車を修理する。 (くるま を しゅうり する。) — Repair the car.
- 停電で真っ暗だ。 (ていでん で まっくら だ。) — It's pitch black due to the blackout.
Common Mistake
Confusing 信頼 and 信用
- ❌ 彼は信頼できる医者だ。 (This is actually OK, but many learners overuse 信用 for people.)
- ✅ 彼は信頼できる医者だ。 (Trust in his character as a doctor.)
- ✅ この病院は信用できる。 (Trust based on the hospital's reputation/record.)
Tip: Use 信頼 for people you trust personally. Use 信用 for institutions, brands, or things you trust based on evidence.
Quick Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the lesson:
- 彼女は自分の__________を守った。 (She protected her convictions.) → 信念
- バス__________で待ってください。 (Please wait at the bus stop.) → 停留所
- この文書を__________してください。 (Please correct this document.) → 修正
- 昨夜、__________があった。 (There was a power outage last night.) → 停電
- 彼は__________なリーダーだ。 (He is a great leader.) → 偉大
Summary and Next Step
You've learned 20 N3 vocabulary words covering:
- Trust and belief (信頼, 信用, 信念)
- Repair and correction (修理, 修正)
- Stopping and waiting (停車, 停電, 停留所)
- Chance events (偶然, 偶々)
- Other useful words (信号, 俳優, 個人, 倒す, 候補, 借金, 値, 偉大, 偖, 備える)
Next step: Practice using these words in sentences about your own experiences. Try writing 3 sentences using 信頼, 偶然, and 備える. Then move on to the next lesson on "Health and Body" vocabulary.
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