How to say "stimulus" in Japanese

• 刺激しげきJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe default choice for physical stimulation or irritation of the body, such as the skin or eyes. It also covers stimulation in a broader sense, but this physical meaning is its core use.
  光ひかりが刺激しげきとなって花はなが咲さく。↗

  Light is the stimulus that causes a flower to open.
• 励みはげみCommon
  nounCovers the 'incentive; stimulus' sense, something that encourages a person to keep going or work harder. Use it when stimulus means motivation or encouragement, not physical or economic stimulation.
  昇進しょうしんが見送みおくられた女おんなには働はたらく励はげみがない。↗

  She had no incentive to work after she was refused a promotion.
• カンフルCommon
  nounA vivid, figurative word for a stimulus that revives something stagnant or sluggish, like a shot in the arm. Best when you want to emphasize a jolt that perks up an economy, business, or a person's flagging spirits.
• はずみCommon
  nounCovers stimulus in the sense of impulse, momentum, or impetus — the force of a sudden movement or the push that carries something forward. Often written in kana alone.
  ドル安やすは輸出ゆしゅつにはずみをつけています。↗

  The cheap dollar is charging up exports.
• 誘い水さそいみずCommon
  nounLiterally the priming water that starts a pump, so it means a stimulus in the sense of a spark or trigger that sets something in motion. Use it for the small initial push that gets a larger process going, not for ongoing stimulation.

Use 刺激 for physical stimulation, 「励み」 for encouragement or incentive, 「カンフル」 and 「誘い水」 for a jolt or trigger that gets something started, and 「はずみ」 for momentum or impetus.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 刺激しげきstimulus
• 励みはげみencouragement
• 励振れいしんexcitation (drive)
• カンフルshot in the arm
• はずみmomentum
• 誘い水さそいみずcause
• 刺激剤しげきざいmotivator
• カンフル剤カンフルざいshot in the arm
• カンフル注射カンフルちゅうしゃshot in the arm