Japanese word

共感

Pronunciation

Romajikyōkan

Meaning

  • nounempathy

Example

その気持ちに共感します。so no ki mo chi ni kyō kan shi ma su

I empathize with that feeling.

Illustration for 共感 (empathy)

More examples

相手の立場を考えると、自然に共感が生まれます。ai te no tachi ba o kanga e ru to shi zen ni kyō kan ga u ma re ma su

When you consider the other person's position, empathy naturally arises.

Core concept

Describes entering another person's emotional perspective and responding with an understanding of what that person feels.

Common phrases

  • 共感を得るkyō kan o u ru

    gain sympathy

  • 共感を呼ぶkyō kan o yo bu

    evoke empathy

  • 共感を示すkyō kan o shime su

    show empathy

Similar words

感情移入kanjōinyū: An understanding of another person's feelings gained by imagining that person's situation.
同感dōkan: A feeling of agreement with another person's thoughts or emotions.
共鳴kyōmei: A strong emotional response to another person's feelings, ideas, or experiences.

Definition in Japanese

相手の気持ちや考えを理解し、自分も同じように感じること。ai te no ki mo chi ya kanga e o ri kai shi ji bun mo ona ji yō ni kan ji ru ko to

Word origin

共感 (kyōkan, "empathy") is formed from 共 (kyō, "together") and 感 (kan, "feeling"), linking the idea of togetherness with feeling.

Usage tips

  • Japanese speakers often use 共感する (kyōkan suru) when a person's experience feels familiar or emotionally understandable, not only when their opinion is shared.

Other meanings

  • sympathynoun
  • identificationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 共感力kyōkanryokuempathynoun
  • 共感的kyōkantekiempatheticna-adjective

Word lists with this word