Japanese word

夢中

Pronunciation

Romajimuchū

Meaning

  • na-adjectivecrazy about ___

Example

私は音楽に夢中です。watashi wa on gaku ni mu chū de su

I am crazy about music.

Illustration for 夢中 (crazy about ___)

More examples

私は絵を描くことに夢中になり、夕食の時間を忘れました。watashi wa e o ega ku ko to ni mu chū ni na ri yū shoku no ji kan o wasu re ma shi ta

I became absorbed in drawing and forgot about dinnertime.

Core concept

Expresses a strong pull toward something that leaves little attention for anything else.

Common phrases

  • 音楽に夢中になるon gaku ni mu chū ni na ru

    become crazy about music

  • 読書に夢中になるdoku sho ni mu chū ni na ru

    become absorbed in reading

Similar words

熱心nesshin: Describes active and serious interest in a person, thing, or activity.
熱狂的nekkyōteki: Describes extreme enthusiasm for a person, thing, or activity.
熱中netchū: Describes becoming deeply absorbed in a person, thing, or activity through strong interest.

Definition in Japanese

ある物事に強く引きつけられ、ほかのことに気が回らないほど熱中しているさま。a ru mono goto ni tsuyo ku hi ki tsu ke ra re ho ka no ko to ni ki ga mawa ra na i ho do net chū shi te i ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 夢中 (muchū) combines 夢 (mu, "dream") with 中 (chū, "inside") and moves from the idea of being in a dream to being completely absorbed in something.

Usage tips

  • The expression 夢中になる (muchū ni naru) applies to hobbies and activities as well as people, so it does not by itself imply romantic interest.

Other meanings

  • absorbed in ___na-adjective
  • devoted to ___na-adjective

Opposites

  • 無関心mukanshinindifferentna-adjective

Word lists with this word