Japanese word

好奇心

Pronunciation

Romajikōkishin

Meaning

  • nouncuriosity

Example

新しいことへの好奇心を大切にします。atara shi i ko to e no kō ki shin o tai setsu ni shi ma su

I value curiosity about new things.

Illustration for 好奇心 (curiosity)

More examples

旅行は未知の文化への好奇心を育てます。ryo kō wa mi chi no bun ka e no kō ki shin o soda te ma su

Travel nurtures curiosity about unfamiliar cultures.

Core concept

Describes the desire to turn attention toward unfamiliar things and find out more about them.

Common phrases

  • 好奇心をくすぐるkō ki shin o ku su gu ru

    spark curiosity

  • 好奇心を大切にするkō ki shin o tai setsu ni su ru

    value curiosity

  • 好奇心から尋ねるkō ki shin ka ra tazu ne ru

    ask out of curiosity

Similar words

関心kanshin: Attention and concern directed toward a particular subject or issue.
探究心tankyūshin: A strong desire to examine a subject deeply and understand it.
知識欲chishikiyoku: A desire to gain knowledge, often about many different subjects.

Definition in Japanese

未知のことや珍しいことを知りたいと思う気持ち。mi chi no ko to ya mezura shi i ko to o shi ri ta i to omo u ki mo chi

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 好奇心 (kōkishin) combines 好 (kō, "liking"), 奇 (ki, "strange"), and 心 (shin, "mind") to express a mind drawn to the unusual.

Usage tips

  • Curiosity can describe both a lasting interest in a subject and a momentary wish to know an answer, so it fits many conversational contexts.

Other meanings

  • inquisitivenessnoun

Opposites

  • 無関心mukanshinindifferencenoun

Word lists with this word