熱中|ねっちゅうnetchuu[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbbeing enthusiastic about; being wild about; being absorbed in; being engrossed in; being devoted to
    この頃ごろは彼女かのじょはテニスに熱中ねっちゅうしている。↗
    Nowadays she is lost in tennis.
Conjugation
Dictionary form熱中する(ねっちゅうする)
Polite (masu)熱中します(ねっちゅうします)
Negative (nai)熱中しない(ねっちゅうしない)
polite (masen)熱中しません(ねっちゅうしません)
classical zu / nu熱中せず・熱中せぬ(ねっちゅうせず・ねっちゅうせぬ)
Past (ta)熱中した(ねっちゅうした)
polite (mashita)熱中しました(ねっちゅうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)熱中しなかった(ねっちゅうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)熱中しませんでした(ねっちゅうしませんでした)
Te form熱中して(ねっちゅうして)
Potential熱中できる(ねっちゅうできる)
Passive熱中される(ねっちゅうされる)
Causative熱中させる(ねっちゅうさせる)
Causative passive熱中させられる(ねっちゅうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)熱中すれば(ねっちゅうすれば)
tara熱中したら(ねっちゅうしたら)
Volitional熱中しよう(ねっちゅうしよう)
polite (mashou)熱中しましょう(ねっちゅうしましょう)
Imperative熱中しろ(ねっちゅうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym没頭ぼっとうNeutralBurying yourself in something to the exclusion of all else, as in 「研究に没頭する」. Leans written, stressing concentration so deep you forget everything else.
  • Synonym夢中むちゅうNeutralFascinated, self-forgetting, as in 「ゲームに夢中だ」 or 「仕事に夢中」. Common in everyday speech; stresses being drawn in so much you forget the rest.
  • Synonym一心不乱いっしんふらんWrittenA four-character idiom for single-minded focus with no distractions. Leans written; the emphasis is on concentration itself.
  • Related熱心ねっしんNeutralEarnest dedication, as in 「熱心な学生」. Stresses a serious attitude; it doesn't necessarily mean you are absorbed or fascinated.
  • Related熱意ねついNeutralZeal or drive, as in 「熱意を示す」. It names a feeling, not an action — the eager spirit behind what you do.
  • Related熱狂ねっきょうNeutralWild frenzy, as in 「熱狂的なファン」. Fits individuals and crowds alike, and is more worked-up than 「熱中」.
  • Related無我夢中むがむちゅうNeutralSo absorbed you lose yourself in it, as in 「無我夢中で走る」; mostly for emergencies or all-out, do-or-die efforts.
  • Related情熱じょうねつNeutralPassion, as in 「情熱を注ぐ」. It is an emotion you hold, not an act of getting absorbed.
  • Related熱情ねつじょうWrittenWritten-style word for burning emotion. Rare in modern usage — say 「情熱」 instead.
  • Antonym無関心むかんしんNeutralApathy, indifference — the direct opposite of 「熱中」.
  • Antonym冷淡れいたんNeutralColdness or lack of enthusiasm — the opposite of 「熱中」.

Use 「熱中」 for devoting yourself fully to something. Say 「夢中」 in everyday speech, 「没頭」 for burying yourself in study or research, 「熱心」 for earnest dedication, and 「熱狂」 for frenzy; 「無関心」 is the opposite.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. ある物事ものごとに心こころを集中しゅうちゅうさせること。
Kanji in this word
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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