Feeling, Sense
Interesting Fact
Japanese literature and aesthetics have long explored “物の哀れ(Mono no Aware)”, the bittersweet awareness that beautiful things don't last forever. Cherry blossoms are a classic example: their beauty becomes more moving precisely because they disappear so quickly. The idea isn't simply “sadness.” It's the emotional reaction that comes from appreciating something while simultaneously sensing its impermanence. A falling cherry blossom can therefore inspire both happiness and melancholy at the same time—a very Japanese way of thinking about emotion.
Memory Trick
The story behind 感 感 = 咸 + 心 The bottom 心 represents the heart/mind, which is strongly associated with feelings. The interesting part is 咸. Historically, 咸 carries the idea of “all / completely” and developed from an ancient character depicting something being struck or affected. The combination eventually conveyed the idea of the heart being affected or moved by something → 感.
Readings
Onyomi: カン (kan)
Kunyomi:
Example Words
Example Sentence
先生に感謝しています。
せんせい に かんしゃ しています。
sensei ni kansha shiteimasu
I am grateful to my teacher.