Entry
ジーンと
jiinto
Describes a profound emotional resonance that touches the heart deeply, or a physical sensation of lingering numbness and stinging pain.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word has two primary functions: first, to describe a powerful wave of emotion that touches your heart, often leaving you on the verge of tears from being moved. Second, it is used to describe a physical sensation where a body part goes numb, tingles persistently, or stings due to extreme cold.
- Being deeply moved emotionally.
- Experiencing physical numbness or stinging pain.
Sense Map
Deep Emotion
Used when a story, act of kindness, or event touches your heart so profoundly that the emotional impact lingers, sometimes causing tears to well up.
胸がジーンとする
Numbness and Pain
Describes a physical sensation of numbness, persistent tingling, or a sharp, lingering sting from the cold or restricted blood flow.
手がジーンとしびれる
Usage Note
How to Use
ジーンとくる
Used when a wave of emotion (like being deeply moved) comes over you and touches your heart.
ジーンとする
Used to describe the state of being emotionally touched or physically experiencing a lingering numbness.
ジーンとしびれる
Specifically used to describe a body part that has gone numb or is persistently tingling.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ジーンとくる
to be deeply moved
ジーンとする
to feel touched / to feel numb
胸がジーンとする
one's heart is touched
鼻の奥がジーンとする
the back of one's nose stings (holding back tears)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Feeling deeply moved | positive or emotional | Indicates a positive, heartwarming impact caused by kindness, good stories, or memories. |
| Holding back tears | emotional | Often describes the physical pre-cry sensation in the back of the nose when you are overwhelmed. |
| Cold or numbness | neutral/negative | Describes pain or tingling from extreme cold weather or restricted circulation. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じんじん じんじん / similar | Use when a pain is intense, active, and continuously throbbing. | Unlike ジーンと, which is a quiet lingering numbness or emotional impact, ジンジン focuses strictly on physical, pulsating pain. | 傷口がジンジン痛む。 |
じんわり じんわり / similar | Use for things like sweat, tears, or warmth that seep out or spread slowly and gradually. | ジーンと implies a direct, sudden, and profound impact, whereas じんわり is a slow and gradual progression. | 汗がじんわりとにじむ。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ジーンと for light, fleeting physical pain like a scratch.
This word implies a pervasive, lingering numbness or sting, not a sharp surface cut.
Forgetting the physical meaning and only using it for 'being touched'.
The physical meaning of going numb (like when your foot falls asleep) is extremely common and natural.
Examples
Examples
その映画の結末を見て、胸がジーンとした。
その えいが の けつまつ を みて、 むね が ジーンと した。
Watching the ending of that movie, my heart was deeply moved.
FigurativeTypical usage to show being deeply moved after watching or reading something.
彼の優しい言葉にジーンときた。
かれ の やさしい ことば に ジーンと きた。
I was deeply touched by his kind words.
FigurativePaired with 'kita' (came) to show a wave of emotion washing over you.
寒さで耳がジーンと痛む。
さむさ で みみ が ジーンと いたむ。
My ears sting with pain from the cold.
LiteralDescribes the stinging, numbing pain caused by extreme cold temperatures.
正座をしていたので、足がジーンとしびれている。
せいざ を していた ので、 あし が ジーンと しびれている。
My legs are numb and tingling because I was sitting in seiza.
LiteralThe most common example for the physical sensation of your leg falling asleep.
卒業式で先生の話を聞いて、鼻の奥がジーンとした。
そつぎょうしき で せんせい の はなし を きいて、 はな の おく が ジーンと した。
Listening to the teacher's speech at the graduation ceremony, the back of my nose tingled with emotion.
FigurativeDescribes the physical tingling sensation in the nose just before one starts crying from being moved.
Similar Words
ジンジン
jinjin
Describes a continuous throbbing pain, a stinging numbness in the nerves, or a loud ringing sound in the ears. Focuses on active, throbbing pain rather than a quiet numbness or emotion.
じんわり
jinwari
じんわり describes something slowly and gently spreading, permeating, or being felt from within. Shows something seeping or spreading slowly, like tears welling up.
Questions
Is ジーンと only associated with sadness?
No. It is very frequently used for happy tears, being touched by someone's kindness, or feeling inspired.
How do I know if ジーンと means 'moved' or 'numb' in a sentence?
Look at the subject and verb. If a body part (hands, legs, ears) is paired with verbs like 'shibireru' (numb) or 'itamu' (pain), it's physical. If the subject is 'mune' (chest) or omitted in an emotional context, it means deeply moved.
Can I use ジーンと for a jump scare?
No. A jump scare would use 'dokitto' or 'biiku-tto'. ジーンと requires a profound, lingering impact, not just brief shock.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1984410
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- じゃーん (jaan)
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