Japanese Conversation · Level 21
90 words
Japanese word
ヒステリー
Pronunciation
Romajihisuterī
Meaning
- nounhysterics
Example
母は電話でヒステリーを起こしました。haha wa den wa de hi su te rī o o ko shi ma shi ta
My mother went into hysterics on the phone.
More examples
長時間のヒステリーの後、彼女はようやく落ち着きました。chō ji kan no hi su te rī no ato kano jo wa yō ya ku o chi tsu ki ma shi ta
After a long bout of hysterics, she finally calmed down.
Core concept
Centers on emotions becoming so overwhelming that a person reacts in an uncontrolled and highly agitated way.
Common phrases
ヒステリーを起こすhi su te rī o o ko su
go into hysterics
ヒステリーの発作hi su te rī no hos sa
a hysterical fit
Similar words
逆上gyakujō: A sudden angry outburst caused by an intense loss of self-control.
癇癪kanshaku: A sudden angry outburst, often involving shouting or crying.
Definition in Japanese
感情が激しく高ぶり、冷静さを失って取り乱すこと。kan jō ga hage shi ku taka bu ri rei sei sa o ushina tte to ri mida su ko to
Word origin
The Japanese loanword ヒステリー (hisuterī, "hysteria") comes from German Hysterie and ultimately traces back to Greek hystera, "womb".
Usage tips
- English commonly uses hysterics in the plural, even when it describes a single person's sudden emotional outburst.
Opposites
- 落ち着きochitsukicomposurenoun
Related words
- ヒステリックhisuterikkuhystericalna-adjective