How to say "enthusiasm" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 情熱じょうねつnounCovers intense, burning enthusiasm directed at a cause, work, or person; the emotional-fire sense of 'passion'. Typical for describing someone's dedication to art, research, or love.
- 熱意ねついnounZealous, earnest enthusiasm shown in attitude and effort, often toward a task, study, or job. The natural word for workplace or school contexts, as in showing eagerness in an application or interview.
- nounThe loanword for 'passion', used mainly as a punchy, slogan-like buzzword in advertising, sports, and motivational talk. For ordinary sentences 情熱 or 熱意 is usually the word you want.
- 乗り気のりきnoun, na-adjectiveEnthusiasm as being keen or game for a particular plan or invitation — eagerness to join in, or the lack of it. Used of people's willingness toward something, not of deep inner passion.
- 気負いきおいnounA worked-up, girded eagerness or fervor, sometimes with a tense or overeager undertone. A narrower word than the others; it is often not the best choice for plain 'enthusiasm', which 熱意 or 情熱 express better.
For passionate, burning enthusiasm use 情熱 or 熱意; 「パッション」 is the loanword for 'passion' as a slogan-like buzzword; 「乗り気」 covers being keen on something; 「気負い」 leans toward eager, worked-up fervor.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 情熱じょうねつpassion
- 熱意ねついzeal
- パッションpassion
- 乗り気のりきinterest
- 気負いきおいeagerness
- 意気込みいきごみardor
- やる気やるきwill (to do something)
- 気込みきごみenthusiasm
- 気乗りきのりinterest (in something)
- 熱度ねつどdegree of heat
- 忘我ぼうがtrance
- 熱狂ぶりねっきょうぶりcraze
- はやる気持ちはやるきもちeager impatience
- 行け行けいけいけhigh spirits
- 熱ねつzeal
- 熱気ねっきenthusiasm
- マニアmania
- 張り合いはりあいfeeling that something is worth the effort
- ボルテージexcitement
- 熱血ねっけつzeal
- フェチpassion
- 力こぶちからこぶzeal
- 熱量ねつりょう(degree of) enthusiasm
- のり(getting into the) mood
See also
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