悟る・覚る|さとるsatoru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
悟る悟る is the most common written form; beginners should use it when writing the word.
覚る覚る is a rarely used written alternative to 悟る, so learners will seldom encounter it and should choose 悟る instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto sense; to perceive; to notice; to discern; to become aware of
- godan verb, transitive verbto understand; to comprehend; to realize
- godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, Buddhismto attain enlightenment
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 悟る（さとる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 悟ります（さとります） |
| Negative (nai) | 悟らない（さとらない） |
| polite (masen) | 悟りません（さとりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 悟らず・悟らぬ（さとらず・さとらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 悟った（さとった） |
| polite (mashita) | 悟りました（さとりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 悟らなかった（さとらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 悟りませんでした（さとりませんでした） |
| Te form | 悟って（さとって） |
| Potential | 悟れる（さとれる） |
| Passive | 悟られる（さとられる） |
| Causative | 悟らせる（さとらせる） |
| Causative passive | 悟らせられる・悟らされる（さとらせられる・さとらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 悟れば（さとれば） |
| tara | 悟ったら（さとったら） |
| Volitional | 悟ろう（さとろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 悟りましょう（さとりましょう） |
| Imperative | 悟れ（さとれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym気づくきづくNeutralThe most common word for noticing or realizing, down to small changes; 「悟る」 also senses intent or one's situation but is more written, and can mean grasping a truth.
- Synonym感じ取るかんじとるNeutralPicks up on atmosphere or emotions through feeling; 「悟る」 also covers sensing, and extends to grasping truths or even enlightenment.
- Synonym気がつくきがつくCasualColloquial, meaning the same as 「気づく」; it can also mean being attentive and considerate. 「悟る」 is more written, and beyond sensing covers grasping truths.
- Synonym察知さっちWrittenWritten style: sensing something by inference from signs, as in 「危険を察知する」; 「悟る」 can also sense danger, and further means grasping truths.
- Synonym感知かんちWrittenWritten style: sensing external changes through the senses or instruments; 「悟る」 is inwardly sensing one's situation or grasping a truth.
- Synonym認識にんしきWrittenWritten style: clearly recognizing and correctly grasping things, mostly in expository prose, as in 「認識を改める」; 「悟る」 carries a nuance of sensing and awakening.
- Synonym理解りかいNeutralThe most general word for understanding, taking explanations or content as its object; 「悟る」 usually means sensing one's own situation or grasping the true meaning.
- Synonym認知にんちWrittenWritten style: recognizing or acknowledging that something exists, also legal acknowledgment of a child; 「悟る」 is sensing or grasping, with no sense of acknowledgment.
- Synonym捉えるとらえるNeutralGrasps meaning or features, as in 「本質を捉える」, and also means catching or capturing; 「悟る」 stresses inward sensing or a sudden, clear realization.
- Synonym飲み込むのみこむCasualColloquial: catching on or getting the gist, as in 「事情を飲み込む」; 「悟る」 can mean sensing one's situation or grasping truths about life.
- Synonym知るしるNeutralThe most basic word for knowing or finding out — gaining knowledge or information; 「悟る」 leans toward sensing or grasping on one's own, and is more written.
- Synonym察するさっするNeutralInfers someone's feelings or a matter from their words and behavior, with a sympathetic nuance, as in 「お察しします」; 「悟る」 centers on one's own sensing and awakening.
- Synonym見抜くみぬくNeutralSees through hidden natures or lies, as in 「嘘を見抜く」; 「悟る」 need not target anything hidden — it can be one's own situation or a truth.
- SynonymわかるNeutralThe everyday word for understanding or getting something; 「悟る」 is more written, meaning sensing one's situation or intent, or awakening to life or Buddhist truths.
- Synonym心付くこころづくWrittenAn older word for noticing or realizing, also for regaining consciousness; daily speech prefers 「気づく」, while 「悟る」 can also mean grasping a truth.
- Synonym感づくかんづくCasualColloquial: vaguely sensing something, often a plot or danger; 「悟る」 is clear sensing or grasping.
- Synonym看取かんしゅWrittenA rare written word for seeing through or making something out; daily speech uses 「見て取る」 or 「見抜く」.
- Synonym見て取るみてとるNeutralMakes out a situation or someone's mind at a glance; 「悟る」 is not limited to seeing — it centers on inward sensing or awakening.
- Synonym了知りょうちWrittenA rare written word for thorough understanding; daily speech uses 「理解」 or 「承知」.
- Synonym思い至るおもいいたるNeutralFinally thinks of something after working through it, as in 「その可能性に思い至る」; 「悟る」 can also mean sensing on the spot or sudden awakening.
- Related知覚ちかくWrittenA psychology term for perceiving the outside world through the senses; 「悟る」 is inward sensing or spiritual awakening.
- Related見出すみいだすNeutralFinds or discovers something of value among many, as in 「希望を見出す」; 「悟る」 is sensing or grasping, not finding something.
- Related感受かんじゅWrittenWritten style: the mind or senses receiving stimuli, as in 「感受性」; 「悟る」 is clear sensing or grasping.
- Related検知けんちWrittenDetects something with an instrument, as in 「ガス漏れを検知する」; it is for machines, unlike the human sensing of 「悟る」.
For everyday noticing use 「気づく」, and for plain understanding 「分かる」 or 「理解」. Pick 「悟る」 to sense a situation or intent, grasp a truth, or attain enlightenment; use 「見抜く」 to see through what is hidden and 「察する」 to read someone's feelings.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
