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I came across a lot of Japanese words meaning "feeling" (as can be seen in Jisho.org):

  • 感情{かんじょう} (kanjou)
  • 気持ち{きもち} (kimochi)
  • 感覚{かんかく} (kankaku)
  • 感じ{かんじ} (kanji)
  • 心持ち{こころもち} (kokoromochi)
  • 心地{ここち} (kokochi)
  • 感触{かんしょく} (kanshoku)
  • 情感{じょうかん} (joukan)
  • 情緒{じょうちょ} (joucho)

Most are already covered in this question from 2014, but unfortunately, not all of them. Therefore, my question here is supposed to be a continuation of that question, to fill the gaps of the missing words, and by no means a duplicate.

The words that weren't addressed in the linked question are the last four:

  • 心地{ここち} (kokochi)
  • 感触{かんしょく} (kanshoku)
  • 情感{じょうかん} (joukan)
  • 情緒{じょうちょ} (joucho)

What are the differences in usage among them all? And can all of them be used in casual speech?

Pedro A
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1 Answers1

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When all’s said and done, you could only grasp their difference in meaning by using these nouns in commonly used, practical phrases:

生きた心地がしなかった : I felt like my heart was in my mouth (as the chopper was caught in a thunderstorm).

ひんやりとした感触です: (something) feels cool to the touch

情感豊かにピアノで曲を演奏する: play a piano piece in a way that moves people's hearts

情緒不安定: the state of being emotionally unstable