When you want to express that someone is interested in many things and always wants to learn more, you can use 好奇心 (kōkishin). This word means curiosity. For example, if a child asks many questions about everything, they have a lot of 好奇心. It's a good quality to have because it helps you discover new things!
When you're learning Japanese, you'll find that having a good vocabulary is super important. Today, let's look at 「好奇心」 (こうきしん), which means curiosity or inquisitiveness. This is a B1 level word, so it's quite common and useful in everyday conversation.
You might use 「好奇心」 to describe someone who loves to learn new things or explore. For example, if your friend is always asking questions about how things work, they have a lot of 「好奇心」. It’s a great word to have in your vocabulary as you progress in your Japanese studies!
When discussing curiosity in Japanese, 好奇心 (kōkishin) is the most common and direct term. It literally combines 'ko' (liking), 'ki' (rare/unusual), and 'shin' (heart/mind), giving the sense of a mind that is drawn to new and interesting things.
You can use it in phrases like 好奇心がある (kōkishin ga aru) to say someone is curious, or 好奇心旺盛な (kōkishin ōseina) to describe someone as very curious or inquisitive.
It's a straightforward word that applies to both people's innate nature and specific instances of curiosity. Remember this word to accurately express the concept of curiosity in Japanese.
When discussing curiosity in a more nuanced way at the C1 level, you might want to differentiate between types of curiosity or delve into its psychological aspects. For instance, you could talk about epistemic curiosity, which is a desire for knowledge and understanding, often driven by intellectual challenge. Or, you might discuss perceptual curiosity, which is a more immediate, often sensory-driven desire to explore novel stimuli. Furthermore, you could explore how curiosity fuels innovation and problem-solving, or how a lack of it might hinder personal growth. These distinctions allow for a richer conversation about the role of curiosity in learning and development.
好奇心 en 30 secondes
- B1 word for curiosity.
- Describes a strong desire to learn.
- Can lead to new discoveries.
§ Understanding 好奇心 (kōkishin)
Alright, let's talk about 好奇心 (kōkishin), which means 'curiosity' or 'inquisitiveness'. It's a pretty useful word to know, especially when you want to describe someone who loves to learn or discover new things. Think of it as having a strong desire to explore and understand the world around you.
As a noun, 好奇心 (kōkishin) often appears with verbs that express having, showing, or stimulating curiosity. Let's break down some common ways you'll see it in action.
§ Basic Sentence Structures with 好奇心 (kōkishin)
- Curiosity + を + 持つ (motsu)
- This is a very common way to say 'to have curiosity'. You're literally 'holding' curiosity.
彼は好奇心を持っています。 (Kare wa kōkishin o motte imasu.)
Translation hint: He has curiosity.
- Curiosity + が + 強い/旺盛 (tsuyoi/ōsei)
- To say someone has 'strong curiosity' or 'abundant curiosity'. 強い (tsuyoi) means strong, and 旺盛 (ōsei) means vigorous or thriving, often used for appetites or desires.
子供たちは新しいことへの好奇心が強いです。 (Kodomo-tachi wa atarashii koto e no kōkishin ga tsuyoi desu.)
Translation hint: Children have strong curiosity towards new things.
彼女は学問に対する好奇心が旺盛だ。 (Kanojo wa gakumon ni taisuru kōkishin ga ōsei da.)
Translation hint: She has abundant curiosity for academics.
- Curiosity + を + 刺激する (shigeki suru)
- This means 'to stimulate curiosity'. You're actively sparking someone's interest.
その本は私の好奇心を刺激した。 (Sono hon wa watashi no kōkishin o shigeki shita.)
Translation hint: That book stimulated my curiosity.
§ Showing What Someone is Curious About
You'll often want to specify *what* someone is curious about. Here are a couple of ways to do that:
Noun + への + 好奇心 (e no kōkishin): 'Curiosity towards/about [noun]'. への (e no) indicates direction or object.
彼は宇宙への好奇心が尽きない。 (Kare wa uchū e no kōkishin ga tsukinai.)
Translation hint: His curiosity towards the universe is endless.
Noun + に対する + 好奇心 (ni taisuru kōkishin): 'Curiosity towards/regarding [noun]'. に対する (ni taisuru) is a more formal way to say 'towards' or 'regarding'.
新しい文化に対する好奇心から、日本へ留学した。 (Atarashii bunka ni taisuru kōkishin kara, Nihon e ryūgaku shita.)
Translation hint: Driven by curiosity towards new cultures, I studied abroad in Japan.
§ 好奇心 (kōkishin) in Action: More Examples
Let's look at a few more examples to solidify your understanding:
彼の好奇心は尽きることがない。 (Kare no kōkishin wa tsukiru koto ga nai.)
Translation hint: His curiosity is inexhaustible (never ends).
好奇心旺盛な学生は、いつも質問が多い。 (Kōkishin ōsei na gakusei wa, itsumo shitsumon ga ōi.)
Translation hint: Students with abundant curiosity always ask many questions.
その出来事が彼の好奇心をくすぐった。 (Sono dekigoto ga kare no kōkishin o kusugutta.)
Translation hint: That event tickled his curiosity (made him curious).
§ Avoiding Common Mistakes
When using 好奇心 (kōkishin), make sure you're using the correct particles. Japanese particles are crucial for defining the role of each word in a sentence. For instance, using を (o) for the direct object when curiosity is being acted upon (e.g., 'stimulating curiosity') versus が (ga) when it's the subject having a quality (e.g., 'curiosity is strong').
Also, remember that while 好奇心 (kōkishin) can describe a general trait, you'll often combine it with 'への' or 'に対する' to specify what the curiosity is directed towards. Don't just drop 好奇心 (kōkishin) in and expect it to automatically imply a specific object of curiosity without these pointers.
§ Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to get comfortable with 好奇心 (kōkishin) is to practice using it. Try describing people you know who are curious, or talk about subjects that spark your own curiosity. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.
Good luck, and keep that 好奇心 (kōkishin) alive!
好奇心 (kōkishin) is a great word to learn if you want to talk about curiosity or inquisitiveness in Japanese. It's a B1 level word, so you'll hear it quite often.
- Japanese Word
- 好奇心 (kōkishin)
- Definition
- Curiosity, inquisitiveness; a strong desire to know or learn.
§ Examples of 好奇心
彼は強い好奇心を持っている。
- Hint
- He has a strong curiosity.
子供は何でも好奇心を持つ。
- Hint
- Children are curious about everything.
§ Similar Words and When to Use Them
While 好奇心 is your go-to for general curiosity, there are a few other words that touch on similar concepts. Knowing the differences will make your Japanese sound more natural.
-
興味 (kyoumi): This also means 'interest.' The key difference is that 興味 is a broader term. You can have 興味 in a topic without having a deep, active desire to investigate it. 好奇心 implies a more active, almost restless desire to learn or find out.
日本の歴史に興味がある。
- Hint
- I'm interested in Japanese history. (Here, it's just an interest, not necessarily a deep urge to research it intensely.)
彼はその謎に好奇心を抱いた。
- Hint
- He felt curious about that mystery. (This implies a stronger urge to uncover the truth.)
-
知白欲 (chishiriyoku): This literally means 'desire to know.' It's very close to 好奇心, but it often emphasizes the intellectual aspect of wanting to acquire knowledge. 好奇心 can be about anything, including practical or even frivolous things, whereas 知白欲 leans more towards intellectual pursuit.
彼には高い知白欲がある。
- Hint
- He has a high desire to know/learn. (Focuses on intellectual knowledge.)
-
探究心 (tankyuushin): This word specifically means 'spirit of inquiry' or 'inquisitiveness with an aim to research/explore.' If you're talking about scientific inquiry, academic research, or a detective's keen interest in a case, 探究心 is more appropriate than 好奇心. 好奇心 is more general; 探究心 is focused and often formal.
科学者には探究心が必要だ。
- Hint
- Scientists need a spirit of inquiry. (Emphasizes research and investigation.)
In summary, use 好奇心 for everyday curiosity. Use 興味 for a general interest. Choose 知白欲 when the desire to know is intellectual, and 探究心 when it's about formal investigation or research. Don't overthink it for now, 好奇心 will cover most of your bases!
How Formal Is It?
"子供には探求心を育むことが大切です。(It's important to foster a spirit of inquiry in children.)"
"好奇心は学びの原動力です。(Curiosity is the driving force of learning.)"
"彼は知りたがりだから、何でも質問するよ。(He's so inquisitive, he asks about everything.)"
"なんでだろうって思う気持ちが大事だね。(It's important to wonder 'why is that?')"
"あの話、めっちゃきになるんだけど。(That story really piques my interest.)"
Le savais-tu ?
Many Japanese words are combinations of kanji, with each kanji contributing to the overall meaning. Understanding the individual kanji can often help you guess the meaning of a new word.
Niveau de difficulté
Two common kanji, relatively straightforward pronunciation.
Two common kanji, straightforward stroke order.
Pronunciation is clear and distinct.
Common word, easy to recognize.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
好奇心 (kōkishin) can be used with 動詞 (dōshi) (verbs) like 抱く (daku - to hold/embrace) or 刺激する (shigeki suru - to stimulate) to express having or stimulating curiosity.
新しいことに好奇心を抱くのは自然なことです。(Atarashii koto ni kōkishin o daku no wa shizen na koto desu.) It's natural to have curiosity about new things.
It often appears with the particle を (o) when indicating the object of one's curiosity, or が (ga) when describing someone's innate curiosity.
彼は子どもの頃から科学に強い好奇心がありました。(Kare wa kodomo no koro kara kagaku ni tsuyoi kōkishin ga arimashita.) He had a strong curiosity for science since childhood.
To describe a curious person, you can use 好奇心旺盛な (kōkishin ōsei na - very curious/inquisitive) followed by a noun.
彼女は好奇心旺盛な人で、いつも新しいことを学んでいます。(Kanojo wa kōkishin ōsei na hito de, itsumo atarashii koto o manande imasu.) She is a very curious person and is always learning new things.
好奇心 (kōkishin) can also be used with adjectives to describe the nature of the curiosity, e.g., 強い好奇心 (tsuyoi kōkishin - strong curiosity) or 旺盛な好奇心 (ōsei na kōkishin -旺盛な curiosity).
彼の旺盛な好奇心は、新しい発見につながりました。(Kare no ōsei na kōkishin wa, atarashii hakken ni tsunagarimashita.) His abundant curiosity led to new discoveries.
When expressing that something sparks or piques curiosity, the verb 刺激する (shigeki suru - to stimulate) is often used with 好奇心 (kōkishin).
その本は私の好奇心を刺激した。(Sono hon wa watashi no kōkishin o shigeki shita.) That book stimulated my curiosity.
Exemples par niveau
子供は新しいおもちゃに好奇心を持っています。
The child has curiosity about the new toy.
彼女はいつも好奇心旺盛です。
She is always very curious.
好奇心旺盛 (こうきしんおうせい): full of curiosity
猫は好奇心から箱の中に入りました。
The cat went into the box out of curiosity.
〜から: from, out of (reason)
彼の好奇心は彼を冒険に駆り立てました。
His curiosity drove him to adventure.
〜を駆り立てる (をかりたてる): to drive, to spur on
私は世界の文化に好奇心があります。
I have curiosity about world cultures.
好奇心は学びの第一歩です。
Curiosity is the first step of learning.
〜の第一歩 (のだいいっぽ): the first step of ~
彼女の目は好奇心で輝いていました。
Her eyes were shining with curiosity.
〜で: with (indicating cause or manner)
新しい場所への好奇心は大きい。
The curiosity for new places is great.
子供は新しいおもちゃに好奇心を持っています。
The child has curiosity about the new toy.
彼女はいつも色々なことに好奇心旺盛です。
She is always full of curiosity about various things.
好奇心旺盛 (こうきしんおうせい) means very curious.
彼の好奇心が新しい発見につながった。
His curiosity led to a new discovery.
猫は周りのものに好奇心を示します。
Cats show curiosity about things around them.
私は知らないことに対して強い好奇心があります。
I have strong curiosity about unknown things.
彼の好奇心は止まることがありません。
His curiosity never stops.
新しい場所へ行くのは、いつも好奇心を満たしてくれます。
Going to new places always satisfies my curiosity.
好奇心を持って学ぶことはとても大切です。
Learning with curiosity is very important.
子供は新しいおもちゃに好奇心を示した。
The child showed curiosity towards the new toy.
彼女の好奇心が、新しい発見につながった。
Her curiosity led to new discoveries.
私はいつも未知のことに対する好奇心がある。
I always have curiosity about unknown things.
彼の質問は、深い好奇心から来ている。
His questions come from deep curiosity.
好奇心旺盛な生徒は、先生にたくさん質問する。
A curious student asks the teacher many questions.
好奇心旺盛 (こうきしんおうせい): full of curiosity
この本は私の好奇心を刺激する。
This book stimulates my curiosity.
旅行は私の好奇心を満たしてくれる。
Travel satisfies my curiosity.
猫は周りのものに好奇心を持っている。
Cats have curiosity about things around them.
子供の好奇心は尽きることがありません。
Children's curiosity is endless.
彼の好奇心が新しい発見へと導いた。
His curiosity led to new discoveries.
好奇心旺盛な人は、常に学び続けます。
Curious people are always learning.
私は強い好奇心を持って世界を探検したい。
I want to explore the world with strong curiosity.
科学の進歩は人間の好奇心によって支えられている。
Scientific progress is supported by human curiosity.
猫は好奇心から箱の中に入った。
The cat went into the box out of curiosity.
彼の質問は、純粋な好奇心から来ていた。
His questions came from pure curiosity.
この本は私の好奇心を刺激する。
This book stimulates my curiosity.
子供は新しいおもちゃに好奇心旺盛だ。
Children are very curious about new toys.
好奇心旺盛 (こうきしんおうせい) means 'full of curiosity' or 'very curious'.
彼の成功の秘訣は、尽きることのない好奇心にある。
The secret to his success lies in his endless curiosity.
尽きることのない (つきることのない) means 'endless' or 'inexhaustible'.
未知の文化に対する彼女の好奇心は、彼女を世界旅行へと駆り立てた。
Her curiosity about unknown cultures drove her to travel the world.
駆り立てる (かりたてる) means 'to drive' or 'to spur on'.
好奇心が猫を殺すというが、それは人間にも当てはまる。
They say curiosity killed the cat, and that also applies to humans.
〜という (to iu) means 'it is said that...'; 当てはまる (あてはまる) means 'to apply'.
研究者は、自然界の謎に対する深い好奇心を持っている。
Researchers have a deep curiosity about the mysteries of the natural world.
深い (ふかい) means 'deep'.
新しいことを学ぶ好奇心があれば、年齢は関係ない。
Age doesn't matter if you have the curiosity to learn new things.
関係ない (かんけいない) means 'doesn't matter' or 'irrelevant'.
彼の好奇心は、しばしば彼を危険な状況に陥らせた。
His curiosity often led him into dangerous situations.
陥らせる (おちいらせる) means 'to lead into' or 'to cause to fall into'.
ジャーナリストにとって、強い好奇心は不可欠な資質だ。
For a journalist, strong curiosity is an essential quality.
不可欠な (ふかけつな) means 'indispensable' or 'essential'; 資質 (ししつ) means 'quality' or 'aptitude'.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
彼の好奇心は尽きることがない。
His curiosity is endless.
新しいことへの好奇心は重要です。
Curiosity about new things is important.
子供は世界への好奇心でいっぱいだ。
Children are full of curiosity about the world.
そのニュースは私の好奇心をそそった。
That news piqued my curiosity.
私たちは好奇心を持って学んでいます。
We are learning with curiosity.
彼女の好奇心は彼をその場所へと導いた。
Her curiosity led him to that place.
猫は好奇心のある動物です。
Cats are curious animals.
もっと好奇心を持つべきだ。
You should be more curious.
彼の好奇心は尽きることがありません。
His curiosity never runs out.
好奇心こそが学びの原動力です。
Curiosity is the driving force of learning.
Souvent confondu avec
More active, investigative pursuit of knowledge.
General interest or state of being interested.
Curiosity with a possible negative or eccentric connotation.
Modèles grammaticaux
Facile à confondre
Both refer to a desire for knowledge, but 探求心 is more active and implies a deeper, more investigative pursuit.
好奇心 is general interest; 探求心 is a focused, deep exploration.
科学者は宇宙の起源に深い探求心を持っています。 (Scientists have a deep inquisitiveness about the origin of the universe.)
Both relate to interest. 興味 is a more general term for 'interest' or 'curiosity' in a broad sense.
好奇心 is the *desire* to know; 興味 is the *state* of being interested.
彼女は新しい文化に強い興味を持っています。 (She has a strong interest in new cultures.)
Can be used to describe someone who is curious, but often with a slightly negative or eccentric connotation.
好奇心 is neutral/positive; 物好き can imply 'meddlesome' or 'oddly curious'.
彼は物好きだから、何でも首を突っ込みたがる。 (He's meddlesome, so he wants to poke his nose into everything.)
This directly describes someone who 'wants to know'. It's often used informally and can imply being nosey.
好奇心 is the trait; 知りたがり is a person exhibiting that trait, sometimes in a slightly negative way.
彼女は知りたがりなので、いつも質問が多い。 (She's nosey, so she always asks a lot of questions.)
While curiosity can lead to a desire for improvement, 向上心 specifically refers to the desire to better oneself or improve skills.
好奇心 is about gaining knowledge; 向上心 is about self-improvement.
彼は向上心が高く、常に新しいことを学んでいます。 (He has a strong desire for self-improvement and is always learning new things.)
Structures de phrases
X は 好奇心旺盛 です。
彼は 好奇心旺盛 です。 (He is very curious.)
X の 好奇心を育む。
子供たちの 好奇心を育む。 (To foster children's curiosity.)
好奇心 から X。
好奇心 から その場所を訪れた。 (I visited that place out of curiosity.)
X は 好奇心が強い。
姉は 好奇心が強い。 (My older sister is very curious.)
Famille de mots
Noms
Astuces
Learn compounds with 心
Many Japanese words for emotions or states of mind contain the character 心 (kokoro), meaning 'heart' or 'mind'. Learning these related words together can help you remember them.
Practice reading examples
Read sentences using 好奇心 to see it in context. Pay attention to the particles used with it. For example, 好奇心がある (kōkishin ga aru - to have curiosity).
Use flashcards
Create flashcards with 好奇心 on one side and 'curiosity' on the other. Include example sentences to reinforce your understanding.
Think of related English words
Associate 好奇心 with its English equivalents like 'inquisitiveness' or 'a keen interest' to strengthen the connection.
Break down the kanji
好 (kō) means 'like' or 'good', and 奇 (ki) means 'strange' or 'curious'. 心 (shin) means 'heart' or 'mind'. Understanding the individual kanji helps with the overall meaning.
Practice writing it
Write 好奇心 multiple times to familiarize yourself with the kanji. This also helps with muscle memory.
Use it in your own sentences
Try to create your own Japanese sentences using 好奇心. For example, '私は新しいことに好奇心があります' (Watashi wa atarashii koto ni kōkishin ga arimasu - I have curiosity about new things).
Listen for it in media
Watch Japanese dramas, anime, or listen to podcasts. Try to catch when 好奇心 is used in natural conversation.
Review regularly
Revisit 好奇心 periodically to ensure it stays fresh in your memory. Spaced repetition is very effective for vocabulary retention.
Connect to personal experiences
Think about times you've felt curiosity and try to describe those feelings or situations using 好奇心 in Japanese.
Origine du mot
Kōkishin (好奇心) is a Japanese word composed of three kanji.
Sens originel : The first kanji, 好 (kō), means 'to like' or 'to be fond of.' The second kanji, 奇 (ki), means 'strange,' 'curious,' or 'unusual.' The third kanji, 心 (shin), means 'heart' or 'mind.' So, literally, it can be understood as a 'heart/mind that likes strange/unusual things.'
Sino-Japanese (kango)Contexte culturel
Curiosity is generally seen as a positive trait in Japanese culture, leading to learning and growth. However, there's also a nuanced understanding that excessive curiosity, especially about others' private affairs, can be impolite or intrusive. Balance is key, as in many aspects of Japanese social interaction.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
When someone is naturally curious about things.
- 彼女は好奇心旺盛だ。
- He has a strong curiosity.
- 子供たちの好奇心を刺激する。
- To stimulate children's curiosity.
- 猫は好奇心が強い動物だ。
- Cats are very curious animals.
When talking about having an interest in learning new things.
- 新しい文化への好奇心。
- Curiosity about new cultures.
- 彼の好奇心は尽きることがない。
- His curiosity is endless.
- 学習への好奇心を持つ。
- To have curiosity towards learning.
When curiosity leads to exploration or discovery.
- 好奇心から始めた研究。
- Research started out of curiosity.
- 彼の好奇心が世界を変えた。
- His curiosity changed the world.
- 好奇心に駆られて調べてみた。
- Driven by curiosity, I looked into it.
When curiosity is a positive trait.
- 好奇心は成長の源だ。
- Curiosity is a source of growth.
- 好奇心を持つことは大切だ。
- It's important to have curiosity.
- 好奇心がある人は知識を深める。
- Curious people deepen their knowledge.
When curiosity might be a little too strong, leading to prying.
- 彼女の好奇心は時々おせっかいだ。
- Her curiosity is sometimes meddlesome.
- 過度な好奇心は避けるべきだ。
- Excessive curiosity should be avoided.
- 好奇心から秘密を探る。
- To investigate secrets out of curiosity.
Amorces de conversation
"あなたはどんなことに好奇心がありますか？ (What kind of things are you curious about?)"
"最近、何か新しいことに好奇心を刺激されましたか？ (Has anything new stimulated your curiosity lately?)"
"子供の頃、どんなことに一番好奇心がありましたか？ (What were you most curious about as a child?)"
"好奇心は、人生においてどのくらい大切だと思いますか？ (How important do you think curiosity is in life?)"
"好奇心旺盛な人についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about curious people?)"
Sujets d'écriture
最近、あなたの好奇心をくすぐった出来事は何ですか？それについてもっと知りたいと思いましたか？ (What event recently piqued your curiosity? Did you want to know more about it?)
あなたの好奇心が、新しい趣味やスキルを学ぶきっかけになった経験について書いてみましょう。 (Write about an experience where your curiosity led you to learn a new hobby or skill.)
もし一日だけ、どんなことでも自由に探求できるとしたら、あなたの好奇心は何を追い求めますか？ (If you could freely explore anything for just one day, what would your curiosity pursue?)
好奇心を持つことのメリットとデメリットについて考えてみましょう。 (Think about the advantages and disadvantages of being curious.)
あなたは自分のことを好奇心旺盛な人間だと思いますか？その理由を具体的に書いてください。 (Do you consider yourself a curious person? Write specific reasons why.)
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsThink of it as 'Koukishin' and break it down:
好 (KOU): good, favorable, like
奇 (KI): strange, peculiar, curious
心 (SHIN): heart, mind, spirit
So, it's like a 'heart that likes strange things' or a 'mind that is favorable to curiosity.' Try associating it with things you're curious about!
You can use it like this:
- 彼の好奇心は旺盛だ。 (Kare no koukishin wa ousei da.)
Hint: His curiosity is strong/robust. - 子供は好奇心がいっぱいだ。 (Kodomo wa koukishin ga ippai da.)
Hint: Children are full of curiosity. - 好奇心から質問しました。 (Koukishin kara shitsumon shimashita.)
Hint: I asked questions out of curiosity.
Generally, yes, '好奇心' has a positive connotation. It implies a desire to learn and explore. However, in some contexts, if someone's curiosity is *too* strong or intrusive, it could be seen negatively, but that's less about the word itself and more about the situation.
While '好奇心' is the most common and direct translation for 'curiosity,' you might also encounter related concepts like:
- 探究心 (TANKYŪSHIN): spirit of inquiry, questing mind. This often implies a deeper, more academic or scientific pursuit.
- 知りたがり (SHIRITAGARI): nosiness, inquisitiveness (can sometimes be negative if it implies prying).
You wouldn't directly say '彼は好奇心です' (Kare wa koukishin desu). Instead, you would say:
- 彼は好奇心旺盛な人です。 (Kare wa koukishin ousei na hito desu.)
Hint: He is a very curious person. - 彼女は好奇心がある。 (Kanojo wa koukishin ga aru.)
Hint: She has curiosity.
'好奇心' implies a deeper, often inherent drive to explore and understand. If you just 'want to know something,' that could be a simple information gap. '好奇心' suggests a broader, sustained interest in discovering new things or understanding why things are the way they are. It's a trait, not just a temporary desire.
The kanji for '好奇心' (好 奇 心) are quite distinct. However, people sometimes miswrite them. The '奇' (KI) in '好奇心' means strange/curious. Don't confuse it with similar-looking kanji like '寄' (KI) which means to approach/send, or '崎' (SAKI/KI) which means cape/promontory. Always pay attention to the radicals.
Absolutely! You can use '好奇心' to describe an animal's inquisitiveness. For example:
- 猫は好奇心旺盛な動物だ。 (Neko wa koukishin ousei na doubutsu da.)
Hint: Cats are very curious animals. - 子犬は好奇心いっぱいで、新しいおもちゃに近づいた。 (Koinu wa koukishin ippai de, atarashii omocha ni chikazuita.)
Hint: The puppy, full of curiosity, approached the new toy.
You typically use a phrase like:
- 好奇心がある (Koukishin ga aru) - to have curiosity
- 好奇心が強い (Koukishin ga tsuyoi) - to have strong curiosity
- 好奇心を抱く (Koukishin o idaku) - to harbor curiosity (a bit more formal)
'好奇心' is a versatile word and can be used in both formal and informal settings. It's appropriate in general conversation, writing, and even more academic or business contexts when discussing a desire for knowledge or exploration. The context will often be indicated by the surrounding grammar and politeness levels, not the word '好奇心' itself.
Teste-toi 90 questions
Choose the best English translation for 「猫」.
「猫」 (neko) means 'cat' in Japanese.
Which of these is the Japanese word for 'hello'?
「こんにちは」 (Konnichiwa) is a common way to say 'hello' in Japanese.
If you want to say 'thank you' in Japanese, which word would you use?
「ありがとう」 (Arigatō) means 'thank you'.
「水」 (mizu) means 'water'.
「水」 (mizu) is indeed the Japanese word for 'water'.
「犬」 (inu) means 'cat'.
「犬」 (inu) means 'dog', not 'cat'. The word for 'cat' is 「猫」 (neko).
「食べる」 (taberu) means 'to eat'.
「食べる」 (taberu) is the Japanese verb meaning 'to eat'.
This is a cat.
I am a student.
That over there is a car.
Read this aloud:
おはよう ございます。
Focus: o-ha-yoh go-zai-mas
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Read this aloud:
ありがとう ございます。
Focus: a-ri-ga-toh go-zai-mas
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
すみません。
Focus: su-mi-ma-sen
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This is a basic sentence structure: 'Subject は Object です'.
'私は学生です' means 'I am a student'.
'あれは本です' means 'That (far away) is a book'.
子供は新しいおもちゃに___を持っています。
The sentence describes a child's feeling towards a new toy. '興味' (kyoumi) means interest, which fits the context of '好奇心' (kōkishin - curiosity). The other options are emotions like anger, sadness, and joy, which don't fit as well.
彼はいつも何でも知りたがるので、とても___な人です。
The sentence states that 'he always wants to know everything'. '好奇心旺盛' (kōkishin ōsei) means very curious or inquisitive, which perfectly matches this description. The other options (kind, interesting, quiet) don't fit the context of wanting to know everything.
私は世界の文化に___があります。
The sentence is 'I have ___ in world cultures'. '関心' (kanshin) means interest, which is a good fit for expressing curiosity about something. '無関心' (mukanshin) means indifference, '不満' (fuman) means dissatisfaction, and '希望' (kibou) means hope, none of which fit the context of having '好奇心' (kōkishin).
新しい場所を訪れるとき、私はいつも___でいっぱいです。
The sentence describes a feeling when visiting new places. '期待' (kitai) means expectation or anticipation, which is often linked with curiosity ('好奇心' - kōkishin) about what one will experience. '不安' (fuan) is anxiety, '退屈' (taikutsu) is boredom, and '疲労' (hirou) is fatigue; these do not fit the positive sense of exploring new places with curiosity.
彼女はいつも質問をするので、とても___な学生です。
The sentence describes a student who 'always asks questions'. '探究心がある' (tankyūshin ga aru) means having an inquiring mind or spirit of inquiry, which directly relates to being curious ('好奇心' - kōkishin). '怠惰' (taida) means lazy, '真面目' (majime) means serious/diligent, and '気まぐれ' (kimagure) means whimsical/fickle, none of which directly explain asking many questions due to curiosity.
この本は、宇宙についての私の___を刺激しました。
The sentence states 'This book stimulated my ___ about the universe.' '想像力' (sōzōryoku) means imagination, which is closely connected to curiosity ('好奇心' - kōkishin) when exploring new concepts like the universe. '恐怖' (kyōfu) means fear, '後悔' (koukai) means regret, and '食欲' (shokuyoku) means appetite, none of which fit the context of a book stimulating interest in the universe.
子供は新しいおもちゃに___を持っている。(Kodomo wa atarashii omocha ni ___ o motteiru.)
The sentence means 'Children have ___ in new toys.' '好奇心' (kōkishin) means curiosity, which fits perfectly here.
彼の___が、彼を科学者にした。(Kare no ___ ga, kare o kagakusha ni shita.)
The sentence means 'His ___ made him a scientist.' '好奇心' (kōkishin) implies the strong desire to know that would lead someone to become a scientist.
私は常に新しいことへの___を失いたくない。(Watashi wa tsune ni atarashii koto e no ___ o ushinaitakunai.)
The sentence means 'I never want to lose my ___ for new things.' '好奇心' (kōkishin) is the natural fit for wanting to learn or know new things.
彼女の___は彼女を旅に駆り立てた。(Kanojo no ___ wa kanojo o tabi ni karitateta.)
The sentence means 'Her ___ drove her to travel.' A strong desire to know or learn new things would motivate someone to travel, making '好奇心' (kōkishin) the correct answer.
猫は___旺盛な動物です。(Neko wa ___ ōsei na dōbutsu desu.)
The sentence means 'Cats are animals with strong ___.' '好奇心' (kōkishin) means curiosity, and cats are known for being curious, so '好奇心旺盛' (kōkishin ōsei) means very curious.
彼はいつも何でも知りたがる___がある。(Kare wa itsumo nandemo shiritagaru ___ ga aru.)
The sentence means 'He always has ___ to want to know everything.' '好奇心' (kōkishin) directly translates to curiosity, which is what someone who wants to know everything would have.
Choose the best English translation for 「好奇心」.
「好奇心」 (kōkishin) directly translates to curiosity or inquisitiveness.
Which sentence uses 「好奇心」 correctly?
「好奇心を持つ」 (kōkishin o motsu) means to have curiosity. The other options use the word incorrectly.
What is a common Japanese verb used with 「好奇心」 to express having curiosity?
「好奇心を持つ」 (kōkishin o motsu) is the standard phrase to say 'to have curiosity'.
「好奇心」 means 'anger'.
「好奇心」 means 'curiosity', not 'anger'. 'Anger' in Japanese is 「怒り」 (ikari).
A person with 「好奇心」 is often interested in learning new things.
「好奇心」 describes a strong desire to know or learn, so a curious person would indeed be interested in new things.
「好奇心」 is typically used to describe a negative trait.
「好奇心」 is generally considered a positive trait, indicating a desire for knowledge and exploration.
Write a short sentence describing someone who is curious about everything. Use '好奇心'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼女は新しいことに対していつも好奇心旺盛です。(She is always very curious about new things.)
Imagine you are learning a new skill. Write a sentence about how your curiosity helps you learn. Use '好奇心'.
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Sample answer
私の好奇心が新しい言語を学ぶのに役立っています。(My curiosity helps me learn new languages.)
Describe a child who has a lot of curiosity. Use '好奇心' in your sentence.
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Sample answer
その子供は世界に対して強い好奇心を持っています。(That child has a strong curiosity about the world.)
What is the main reason he visits new places and learns about cultures?
Read this passage:
彼はいつも新しい場所を訪れ、新しい文化について学びたがっています。彼の好奇心は彼を様々な冒険へと駆り立てます。
What is the main reason he visits new places and learns about cultures?
The passage states '彼の好奇心は彼を様々な冒険へと駆り立てます' (His curiosity drives him to various adventures), indicating curiosity is the main motivator.
The passage states '彼の好奇心は彼を様々な冒険へと駆り立てます' (His curiosity drives him to various adventures), indicating curiosity is the main motivator.
What drives scientists to make new discoveries?
Read this passage:
科学者たちは、宇宙の謎を解き明かすために日々研究しています。彼らの尽きない好奇心こそが、新たな発見を生み出す原動力なのです。
What drives scientists to make new discoveries?
The passage says '彼らの尽きない好奇心こそが、新たな発見を生み出す原動力なのです' (Their endless curiosity is the driving force behind new discoveries).
The passage says '彼らの尽きない好奇心こそが、新たな発見を生み出す原動力なのです' (Their endless curiosity is the driving force behind new discoveries).
What does a child's many questions indicate?
Read this passage:
小さな子供は、なぜ空が青いのか、なぜ鳥が飛ぶのか、など、たくさんの疑問を抱いています。これは彼らの健全な好奇心の表れです。
What does a child's many questions indicate?
The passage states 'これは彼らの健全な好奇心の表れです' (This is an expression of their healthy curiosity).
The passage states 'これは彼らの健全な好奇心の表れです' (This is an expression of their healthy curiosity).
新しい文化に触れることは、私の___を刺激します。
新しい文化に触れることで、知らないことへの探求心が刺激されるため、「好奇心」が最も適切です。
子供は___旺盛で、何でも知りたがります。
「好奇心旺盛」はよく使われる表現で、子供が新しいことに関心を持つ様子を表します。
彼の___が、その謎を解き明かすきっかけとなった。
謎を解き明かすためには、知りたいという強い気持ち（好奇心）が原動力となります。
その研究者は___に導かれ、新しい発見をしました。
研究者が新しい発見をする動機として、「好奇心」が自然です。
彼女の___は尽きることがなく、常に新しいことを学んでいます。
新しいことを学び続けるのは、「好奇心」が尽きないから、という文脈が適切です。
___を満たすために、彼は世界中を旅しました。
世界中を旅して様々な経験をするのは、知りたいという「好奇心」を満たすため、という文脈が自然です。
Choose the best sentence using 「好奇心」.
「好奇心旺盛」は「curious, full of curiosity」という意味で、新しいことに挑戦する人の性格を表すのに適切です。他の選択肢は文法的に不自然だったり、意味が通りません。
Which of the following phrases is closest in meaning to 「好奇心を満たす」?
「好奇心を満たす」は、知らないことを知りたいという気持ち（好奇心）が満たされる、つまり疑問が解決されることを意味します。
What kind of person typically has a strong 「好奇心」?
「好奇心」は、新しいことや未知のことに対する知的な関心や探究心のことです。したがって、新しいことを学ぶのが好きな人は好奇心が強いと言えます。
「好奇心」は、通常、ポジティブな意味合いで使われます。
「好奇心」は、新しいことを知りたいという健全な欲求を表すため、一般的にポジティブな言葉として使われます。
子供は大人よりも「好奇心」が少ない傾向にあります。
一般的に、子供は新しいものや未知のものに対する「好奇心」が旺盛で、大人よりも探求心が強い傾向にあります。
「好奇心」が強い人は、退屈しやすいです。
「好奇心」が強い人は、常に新しいことを探したり学んだりするため、退屈することは少ないと考えられます。
Use 「好奇心」 in a sentence about a child exploring a new environment.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
その子供は新しい場所に強い好奇心を持っていました。
Write a short paragraph (2-3 sentences) about how 「好奇心」 can be a positive trait in learning.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
好奇心は学習において非常に重要な特質です。新しいことを知りたいという気持ちが、人を積極的に学ばせ、成長させます。
Translate the following English sentence into Japanese, using 「好奇心」: "His curiosity led him to discover many interesting things."
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Sample answer
彼の好奇心が、多くの興味深いことを発見するへと彼を導いた。
科学者たちが研究を続ける原動力は何ですか？
Read this passage:
科学者たちは、宇宙の謎を解き明かすために日々研究しています。彼らの原動力となっているのは、尽きることのない好奇心です。この好奇心があるからこそ、私たちは新しい発見を続けることができるのです。
科学者たちが研究を続ける原動力は何ですか？
文章中に「彼らの原動力となっているのは、尽きることのない好奇心です」とあります。
文章中に「彼らの原動力となっているのは、尽きることのない好奇心です」とあります。
親が子供の好奇心に対して行うべきことは何ですか？
Read this passage:
子供の成長には好奇心が不可欠です。様々なものに触れ、質問をすることで、子供たちは世界を理解し、知識を深めていきます。親は子供の好奇心を大切にし、それを育む環境を提供することが重要です。
親が子供の好奇心に対して行うべきことは何ですか？
文章中に「親は子供の好奇心を大切にし、それを育む環境を提供することが重要です」とあります。
文章中に「親は子供の好奇心を大切にし、それを育む環境を提供することが重要です」とあります。
「好奇心」はどのような意味合いで使われることが多いですか？
Read this passage:
「好奇心」は日本語で「こうきしん」と読みます。これは新しいことや未知のことに対する強い関心や探究心を意味します。多くの場合、ポジティブな意味合いで使われますが、過度な好奇心は時にトラブルの原因となることもあります。
「好奇心」はどのような意味合いで使われることが多いですか？
文章中に「多くの場合、ポジティブな意味合いで使われます」とあります。
文章中に「多くの場合、ポジティブな意味合いで使われます」とあります。
This sentence means 'Learning new languages stimulates my curiosity.' The natural order in Japanese is subject-object-verb, or in this case, 'New language learning, my curiosity stimulates.'
This sentence means 'Children's insatiable curiosity is the driving force behind their learning.' The word order builds up to 'curiosity' as the subject, then its effect.
This sentence means 'His curious personality led him to become a scientist.' The phrase '好奇心旺盛な' describes '性格' (personality).
The speaker is talking about a child's endless trait.
The speaker's interest is piqued by something new.
The sentence describes a scientist's dedication driven by a specific characteristic.
Read this aloud:
彼の好奇心旺盛な性格が、彼を成功へと導いた。
Focus: 好奇心旺盛 (こうきしんおうせい)
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Read this aloud:
私たちはもっと好奇心を持って、世界を探求すべきです。
Focus: 探求すべき (たんきゅうすべき)
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Read this aloud:
その出来事が、私の好奇心に火をつけた。
Focus: 火をつけた (ひをつけた)
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Imagine you're developing a new product. How would '好奇心' (curiosity) play a role in your development process? Describe a specific instance where it would be crucial.
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Sample answer
新製品開発において、私のチームは市場のギャップを見つけるために常に好奇心を持つようにしています。例えば、あるプロトタイプが予想外の反応を示した際、単に失敗と片付けるのではなく、「なぜこのように反応するのか？」という好奇心から深く掘り下げました。その結果、元々は意図しなかったが、非常に革新的な機能を発見することができました。この好奇心こそが、単なる改善に留まらない、真のイノベーションを生み出す源だと考えています。
Discuss the statement: '好奇心は猫を殺す' (Curiosity killed the cat). Do you agree or disagree, and why? Provide a personal example or a hypothetical scenario to support your argument.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
「好奇心は猫を殺す」という諺には、一理あると思います。私の友人が、よく知らないウェブサイトの怪しいリンクを好奇心からクリックしてしまい、パソコンがウイルスに感染したことがあります。これは、好奇心が危険な結果を招く典型的な例です。しかし、同時に、好奇心は新しい発見や成長の原動力でもあります。重要なのは、好奇心を行動に移す際に、慎重さやリスク評価のバランスを保つことだと考えます。
How does '好奇心' differ from '探究心' (spirit of inquiry)? Explain the nuances between these two concepts in a context related to learning or research.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
「好奇心」と「探究心」は似ていますが、異なるニュアンスを持っています。好奇心は、知りたいという衝動的な感情で、特定の目的がなくても様々なことに興味を持つ状態を指します。例えば、新しいニュース記事の見出しに惹かれるような感覚です。一方、探究心は、より深く、体系的に特定の事柄を調べ、理解しようとする意欲です。これは、特定の研究テーマについて深く掘り下げ、仮説を立て、検証するような、目的を持った学習や研究の文脈で使われます。好奇心が探究心の入り口となることは多いですが、探究心にはより持続的な努力と目的意識が伴います。
この文章によると、情報過多の時代において「好奇心」はどのような役割を果たすと述べられていますか？
Read this passage:
現代社会において、情報過多は避けて通れない問題です。インターネットの普及により、私たちは日々膨大な情報に接しています。この状況下で、漫然と情報を消費するのではなく、自身の好奇心を羅針盤として、本当に価値のある情報を見つけ出す能力がますます重要になっています。批判的思考力を養い、単なる事実の羅列ではない、深い洞察を得るためには、常に「なぜ？」という好奇心を持ち続けることが不可欠です。
この文章によると、情報過多の時代において「好奇心」はどのような役割を果たすと述べられていますか？
文章中で「自身の好奇心を羅針盤として、本当に価値のある情報を見つけ出す能力がますます重要になっています」と明記されています。
文章中で「自身の好奇心を羅針盤として、本当に価値のある情報を見つけ出す能力がますます重要になっています」と明記されています。
子供の学習意欲を高めるために、この文章が最も推奨していることは何ですか？
Read this passage:
子供の学習意欲を高める上で、好奇心の喚起は非常に効果的な手段です。教師や親は、子供たちが自ら問いを発し、答えを探求できるような環境を提供すべきです。例えば、科学実験や野外活動を通じて、直接的な体験から学ぶ機会を増やすことは、彼らの好奇心を刺激し、深い学びへと導きます。単に知識を詰め込むのではなく、知的好奇心を育むことが、生涯にわたる学習の基礎となります。
子供の学習意欲を高めるために、この文章が最も推奨していることは何ですか？
文章中に「教師や親は、子供たちが自ら問いを発し、答えを探求できるような環境を提供すべきです」と明確に述べられています。
文章中に「教師や親は、子供たちが自ら問いを発し、答えを探求できるような環境を提供すべきです」と明確に述べられています。
この文章における「好奇心」が、最も強く関連付けられている結果は何ですか？
Read this passage:
多くの発明や発見は、単純な「なぜだろう？」という好奇心から生まれています。アインシュタインが相対性理論を構築したのも、ニュートンが万有引力の法則を発見したのも、既存の常識に疑問を抱き、その背後にある原理を探ろうとする強い好奇心があったからです。このような歴史的偉業だけでなく、日々の生活の中での小さな改善もまた、好奇心という原動力によって支えられています。好奇心こそが、人類の進歩の源泉なのです。
この文章における「好奇心」が、最も強く関連付けられている結果は何ですか？
文章の最後に「好奇心こそが、人類の進歩の源泉なのです」と結論付けられています。また、アインシュタインやニュートンの例も、好奇心が進歩につながったことを示しています。
文章の最後に「好奇心こそが、人類の進歩の源泉なのです」と結論付けられています。また、アインシュタインやニュートンの例も、好奇心が進歩につながったことを示しています。
Listen for 'insatiable curiosity' and 'led him to new discoveries'.
Pay attention to 'innocent curiosity' and 'always moves me'.
Focus on 'ancient document' and 'greatly stimulated the scholar's curiosity'.
Read this aloud:
あなたの好奇心は、どのような分野で最も発揮されますか？
Focus: 好奇心 (kōkishin)
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Read this aloud:
幼い頃から、私は宇宙への強い好奇心を持っていました。
Focus: 宇宙 (uchū)
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Read this aloud:
彼女の旺盛な好奇心が、彼女を世界中へと旅させた。
Focus: 旺盛な (ōsei na)
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This sentence means 'The new culture strongly stimulated his curiosity.' '新しい文化' (new culture) is the subject, '彼の好奇心を' (his curiosity) is the direct object, and '強く刺激した' (strongly stimulated) is the verb phrase.
This sentence translates to 'Children's endless curiosity is the driving force of learning.' '子供たちの尽きない好奇心' (children's endless curiosity) is the subject, and '学びの原動力だ' (is the driving force of learning) is the predicate.
This sentence means 'As a scientist, curiosity towards the unknown drives him.' '科学者として' (as a scientist) sets the context, '未知への好奇心が' (curiosity towards the unknown) is the subject, and '彼を突き動かしている' (drives him) is the verb phrase.
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Summary
好奇心 (kōkishin) means curiosity or inquisitiveness, reflecting a strong desire to know or learn.
- B1 word for curiosity.
- Describes a strong desire to learn.
- Can lead to new discoveries.
Learn compounds with 心
Many Japanese words for emotions or states of mind contain the character 心 (kokoro), meaning 'heart' or 'mind'. Learning these related words together can help you remember them.
Practice reading examples
Read sentences using 好奇心 to see it in context. Pay attention to the particles used with it. For example, 好奇心がある (kōkishin ga aru - to have curiosity).
Use flashcards
Create flashcards with 好奇心 on one side and 'curiosity' on the other. Include example sentences to reinforce your understanding.
Think of related English words
Associate 好奇心 with its English equivalents like 'inquisitiveness' or 'a keen interest' to strengthen the connection.
Exemple
彼の好奇心は尽きることがない。
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur emotions
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
