Beginner-Friendly Word Groups by Emotion
Feeling overwhelmed? Happy? Nervous? These core emotion words are the building blocks of Japanese expression.
If you are just starting out, don’t try to learn 1,000 words. Start with these three emotional categories.
1. The High Energy Duo
- Doki-doki: Heartbeat (neutral/excited/nervous).
- Waku-waku: Anticipation (purely positive).
2. The Frustration Group
- Ira-ira: Irritation (thorns poking you).
- Muka-muka: Nausea/Anger (something rising in your throat).
3. The Atmosphere
- Shiin: Silence (when no one laughs at your joke).
- Zawa-zawa: Unsettled noise (when everyone is talking about you). …