Japanese word

衝動

Pronunciation

Romajishōdō

Meaning

  • nounimpulse

Example

彼女はそれを買う衝動を抑えました。kano jo wa so re o ka u shō dō o osa e ma shi ta

She resisted the impulse to buy it.

Illustration for 衝動 (impulse)

More examples

疲れていると、衝動に負けやすくなります。tsuka re te i ru to shō dō ni ma ke ya su ku na ri ma su

When I am tired, I become more likely to give in to impulse.

Core concept

Describes a sudden inner push toward an action before careful thought fully guides the decision.

Common phrases

  • 衝動を抑えるshō dō o osa e ru

    control an impulse

  • 衝動に駆られるshō dō ni ka ra re ru

    be driven by an impulse

  • 衝動に負けるshō dō ni ma ke ru

    give in to an impulse

Similar words

欲求yokkyū: A desire for something that motivates action, whether sudden or lasting.
気まぐれkimagure: A sudden changeable wish or choice that may not last long.
欲望yokubō: A strong desire for something, often focused on getting or having it.

Definition in Japanese

十分に考える前に、ある行動をしたくなる急な気持ち。jū bun ni kanga e ru mae ni a ru kō dō o shi ta ku na ru kyū na ki mo chi

Word origin

衝動 (shōdō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 衝 (shō, "collide") and 動 (dō, "move"), suggesting a force that moves someone suddenly.

Usage tips

  • In English, impulse can describe a sudden wish to act without meaning that the action is always harmful or impossible to resist.

Opposites

Related words

  • 衝動的shōdōtekiimpulsivena-adjective
  • 衝動性shōdōseiimpulsivenessnoun

Word lists with this word