Japanese word

誘惑

Pronunciation

Romajiyūwaku

Meaning

  • nountemptation

Example

甘い物の誘惑に負けてしまいました。ama i mono no yū waku ni ma ke te shi ma i ma shi ta

I gave in to the temptation of sweets.

Illustration for 誘惑 (temptation)

More examples

私は衝動買いの誘惑を避けています。watashi wa shō dō ka i no yū waku o sa ke te i ma su

I avoid the temptation to make impulse purchases.

Core concept

Describes an appealing force that makes a person want to abandon self-restraint and choose something desirable.

Common phrases

  • 誘惑に打ち勝つyū waku ni u chi ka tsu

    overcome temptation

  • 誘惑に負けるyū waku ni ma ke ru

    give in to temptation

  • 誘惑に抵抗するyū waku ni tei kō su ru

    resist temptation

  • 誘惑を退けるyū waku o shirizo ke ru

    reject temptation

Similar words

誘いsasoi: An invitation or enticement that encourages someone to take an action or accept an offer.
勧誘kanyū: An attempt to persuade someone to join a group, buy something, or participate in an activity.
魅惑miwaku: A compelling attraction that holds someone's attention and makes an object seem desirable.

Definition in Japanese

人の気持ちを強く引きつけ、我慢やためらいを忘れさせて、望ましいと思うことへ向かわせるもの。hito no ki mo chi o tsuyo ku hi ki tsu ke ga man ya ta me ra i o wasu re sa se te nozo ma shi i to omo u ko to e mu ka wa se ru mo no

Word origin

誘惑 (yūwaku) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 誘 (yū, "entice") and 惑 (waku, "confuse"), linking attraction with the loss of clear judgment.

Usage tips

  • English learners may associate seduction mainly with romance, but 誘惑 (yūwaku) is also used for familiar pulls such as attractive food or an appealing purchase.

Other meanings

  • lurenoun
  • seductionnoun

Opposites

  • 自制jiseiself-controlnoun

Related words

  • 誘惑的yūwakutekitemptingna-adjective
  • 誘惑者yūwakushatempternoun

Word lists with this word