Translation and Meaning of: 予感 - yokan

The Japanese word 「予感」(yokan) is composed of two kanji: 「予」(yo) and 「感」(kan). The first character, 「予」, means "precedence" or "forecast," indicating something that occurs before an event. The second character, 「感」, refers to "feeling" or "sensation." Thus, the combination of the two ideograms denotes an intuitive feeling or premonition regarding something that has not yet occurred.

The term "予感" is used to express that intuitive feeling that we often cannot explain rationally. It is when someone senses, in advance, that something will happen, whether in a positive or negative way. However, this feeling is not based on concrete facts or logical observations, but on intuitive insights.

The origin of the concept of intuition is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where there is great respect for feelings and perceptions that might be overlooked in more rational or logical cultures. Historically, this type of intuition is valued in storytelling, arts, and even traditional philosophies, emphasizing the balance between reason and emotion in the pursuit of harmony.

In addition to its everyday use, the term 「予感」 is often explored in literary and artistic contexts within Japan. Authors and artists frequently use this word to create an atmosphere of anticipation or mystery in their works, reflecting the complex relationship between the conscious and the subconscious mind. This rich usage highlights how the Japanese language captures emotional and psychological nuances, revealing both the cultural depth and the universal subjectivity of this intuitive feeling.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 予感 (Yokan) - Premonition, a premonitory feeling about something that is going to happen.
• 予知 (Yochi) - Forecast, knowledge of future events based on information.
• 予言 (Yogen) - Prophecy, a statement that something will happen, usually linked to spiritual aspects.
• 予測 (Yosoku) - Estimate or forecast based on data, analyses, and past experiences.
• 予想 (Yosou) - Expectation or assumption about what will happen, often informal.
• 予期 (Yoki) - Expectation that something will happen, related to expected events.
• 予見 (Yoken) - Vision or foresight of future events, similar to predicting.
• 予知能力 (Yochi nouryoku) - Ability to foresee future events or have an accurate intuition.

予感

Romaji: yokan
Kana: よかん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: Presentation; premonition

Meaning in English: presentiment;premonition

Definition: Feelings and predictions about the future. Feeling future events.

Example Sentences - (予感) yokan

See below some example sentences:

不吉な予感がする。

Fukitsu na yokan ga suru

I feel a sense of foreboding.

I have an ominous feeling.

• 不吉 - means "inauspicious" or "of bad omen".
• な - particle that indicates adjective.
• 予感 - means "premonition" or "foreboding".
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• する - verb that means "to feel" or "to sense".

私は予感がある。

Watashi wa yokan ga aru

I have a feeling.

I have a premonition.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 予感 - Japanese noun meaning "gut feeling"
• が - subject particle indicating that "gut feeling" is the subject of the sentence
• ある - Japanese verb meaning "to exist", conjugated in the present indicative