Explanation at your level:
失神する (shishin suru) means to faint. Fainting is when you fall down because you suddenly stop being awake. It's like falling asleep for a very, very short time. Maybe you feel dizzy first. It's not a big sleep. You wake up fast. Doctors sometimes ask about this. It is important to know the word if someone falls down and is not awake.
失神する (shishin suru) is a verb that means 'to faint' or 'to lose consciousness temporarily'. When someone faints, they suddenly become unconscious and might fall down. This usually happens because their brain isn't getting enough blood for a short moment. It's different from sleeping. People usually wake up again very quickly. You might hear this word in a medical setting or when talking about someone feeling very unwell.
The Japanese verb 失神する (shishin suru) translates to 'to faint' or 'to lose consciousness temporarily'. It describes the act of suddenly becoming unconscious and often collapsing, typically due to a temporary lack of blood flow to the brain. This is usually a brief episode, with the person regaining awareness shortly after. It's a more formal or clinical term than simply saying someone felt dizzy. For example, a doctor might ask, 「以前に失神したことはありますか？」(Have you ever fainted before?).
失神する (shishin suru) refers to a transient loss of consciousness, commonly known as fainting. This medical event is characterized by a sudden, temporary failure of the brain to receive adequate blood supply, leading to collapse and unresponsiveness. While the person is unconscious, they are typically still breathing. The recovery is usually rapid, often within a minute or two, without lasting effects. The term is frequently used in healthcare contexts, accident reports, and formal descriptions of medical conditions. It's important to distinguish it from sleep or prolonged unconsciousness.
In Japanese, 失神する (shishin suru) denotes a syncopal episode, or fainting. This is a complex physiological event involving a temporary global cerebral hypoperfusion, resulting in an abrupt and transient loss of consciousness. The underlying causes are varied, ranging from vasovagal responses and orthostatic hypotension to more serious cardiac arrhythmias. The key characteristic is the brevity of the episode and the spontaneous, rapid return to baseline neurological function. Clinicians use this term precisely to differentiate it from seizures or other causes of altered consciousness. Understanding the nuances of 失神する is crucial in medical and emergency contexts.
The verb 失神する (shishin suru) encapsulates the phenomenon of syncope, a medical term for a transient loss of consciousness due to global cerebral hypoperfusion. Etymologically, 失 (shitsu) implies loss, and 神 (shin) refers to consciousness or spirit. This phrasing historically aligns with the ancient understanding of the mind or spirit temporarily departing the body. Modern medical science defines it as a brief, self-limiting episode characterized by rapid onset, short duration, and complete resolution. Differentiating syncope from other causes of altered consciousness, such as epilepsy or psychogenic pseudosyncope, is paramount in clinical diagnosis. The term 失神する is thus employed with precision in medical literature and professional discourse, reflecting a deep understanding of its physiological underpinnings and clinical implications.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 失神する (shishin suru) means to faint or lose consciousness temporarily.
- It's often caused by physiological reasons like low blood pressure or shock.
- It's a formal/clinical term, distinct from simple dizziness or sleep.
- Common in medical contexts, news reports, and formal descriptions.
Hey there! Let's dive into the Japanese verb 失神する (shishin suru). It's a pretty straightforward term that describes a very specific physical event: fainting. Think of it as your body's temporary 'off switch' being flicked, usually because of something like a sudden drop in blood pressure, feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing a strong shock. It's not a deep sleep, but a brief moment where you're not aware of what's happening around you.
When someone 失神する, they might feel dizzy or lightheaded just before it happens. It's important to remember that this is a temporary state. The person usually regains consciousness on their own within a minute or two. While it can be a bit scary to witness, understanding the meaning of 失神する helps us to know what's going on. It's a common enough experience that there's a specific word for it!
The word 失神する (shishin suru) is a compound verb formed from two main parts: 失 (shitsu) and 神 (shin), followed by the verb ending する (suru). The character 失 (shitsu) means 'to lose' or 'to be lost'. Think of words like 失敗 (shippai - failure) or 失業 (shitsugyou - unemployment).
The character 神 (shin) is super interesting! It can mean 'god' or 'spirit', but in contexts like this, it refers to consciousness, mind, or even one's senses. So, literally, 失神 (shishin) means 'to lose one's spirit' or 'to lose one's mind/consciousness'. The addition of する (suru) turns this noun concept into a verb, meaning 'to perform the action of losing consciousness'. The concept of losing consciousness has been described in various ways across cultures and languages for centuries, often relating to the idea of the spirit leaving the body temporarily. In Japanese, this specific phrasing captures that transient mental 'departure' very effectively.
So, when do we use 失神する (shishin suru)? It's typically used in medical contexts, news reports about accidents, or when describing a dramatic event. For instance, a doctor might ask if a patient has ever 失神した (shisshin shita - past tense). You might read in a newspaper that someone 失神して倒れた (shisshin shite taoreta - fainted and collapsed).
It's generally a more formal or clinical term compared to a casual description. While you *could* use it in everyday conversation, people might opt for simpler phrases depending on the situation. For example, if a friend felt faint, they might say 「めまいがした」(memai ga shita - I felt dizzy) or 「気が遠くなった」(ki ga tōku natta - I felt faint/my mind went distant). 失神する carries a bit more weight and implies a complete, albeit brief, loss of awareness. Common collocations include 貧血で失神する (hinketsu de shisshin suru - to faint from anemia) or ショックで失神する (shokku de shisshin suru - to faint from shock).
While 失神する (shishin suru) itself is quite literal, the concept of losing consciousness or being stunned is present in many expressions. Here are a few related ideas:
- 気が遠くなる (ki ga tōku naru): Literally 'one's mind becomes distant'. This is a very common way to say you feel faint or are about to pass out. Example: あまりの暑さに気が遠くなりそうだった。(Amari no atsusa ni ki ga tōku narisō datta. - I felt like I was going to pass out from the extreme heat.)
- 卒倒する (sottō suru): Similar to 失神する, meaning to suddenly fall down unconscious, often from shock or illness. It can feel a bit more sudden or dramatic. Example: そのニュースを聞いて卒倒した。(Sono nyūsu o kiite sottō shita. - Hearing that news, he collapsed.)
- 呆然とする (bōzen to suru): This means to be stunned or bewildered, often speechless due to shock or surprise. You're conscious, but mentally frozen. Example: 予想外の出来事に呆然としてしまった。(Yosōgai no dekigoto ni bōzen to shite shimatta. - I was stunned by the unexpected event.)
- 目を回す (me o mawasu): Literally 'eyes spin'. This idiom is often used to describe feeling very dizzy, sometimes to the point of feeling like you might faint. Example: 急に立ち上がったら目が回った。(Kyū ni tachiagattara me ga mawatta. - I felt dizzy when I stood up suddenly.)
- 魂消る (tamashii keru): An older, more literary expression meaning to be extremely shocked or frightened, to the point of feeling like your soul is knocked out of you. Example: その恐ろしい光景に魂消た。(Sono osoroshii kōkei ni tamashii keta. - I was terrified by that horrifying sight.)
失神する (shishin suru) is a Group 2 verb (ichidan verb) in Japanese, meaning its conjugation is relatively predictable. The する (suru) part is the key. For example, the past tense is 失神した (shisshin shita), the negative is 失神しない (shisshin shinai), and the te-form is 失神して (shisshin shite).
Pronunciation:
- IPA (Tokyo Dialect): /ɕiɕiɴ d͡ʑi̥ɴ t͡sɯᵝ/
- Romanization: shishin suru
- Breakdown: shi-shin su-ru. Each syllable is fairly distinct. The 'shi' sound is like the 'she' in 'sheep'. The 'n' sound at the end of 'shin' is a nasal sound, similar to the 'n' in 'sing' but often lighter. The 'su' sound is like 'sue' without the 'e', and 'ru' is a light flap, almost like a 'd' sound in some contexts, but softer.
- Rhyming Words: While direct rhymes are tricky with the 'suru' ending, words ending in '-shin' like 安心 (anshin - peace of mind) or 心配 (shinpai - worry) share the final syllable sound.
- Stress: Japanese is generally pitch-accented rather than stress-accented, but the syllables are given fairly equal weight, with a slight rise and fall depending on the word and dialect.
Fun Fact
The character '神' (shin) originally referred to gods or deities. In ancient times, losing consciousness might have been metaphorically described as one's spirit temporarily leaving the body.
Pronunciation Guide
Similar to American pronunciation, with clear syllables. The 'u' sound in 'suru' is short and unstressed.
The 'shi' sounds are soft. The 'u' in 'suru' is often reduced or almost silent, making it sound like 'shishin sr'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'shi' too hard.
- Making the 'u' in 'suru' too prominent.
- Adding unnecessary stress to syllables.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Requires understanding of medical/formal contexts.
Requires precise usage in specific contexts.
Pronunciation and correct contextual use are key.
Recognizing the word in formal or medical discussions.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
する-verbs Conjugation
失神する -> 失神した (past), 失神しない (negative)
Particles for Cause (e.g., で, から)
貧血<strong>で</strong>失神した。(Fainted <strong>from</strong> anemia.)
Te-form for Sequential Actions
失神<strong>して</strong>倒れた。(Fainted <strong>and</strong> collapsed.)
Examples by Level
彼は失神した。
He / faint / did.
Past tense of する verb.
暑さで失神する。
Heat / by / faint / do.
Using で for cause.
私は失神しない。
I / faint / not do.
Negative form of する verb.
失神は怖い。
Fainting / is / scary.
Noun form of the verb.
彼は失神しそう。
He / faint / seem like.
Using そう for 'seems like'.
失神した人を見た。
Fainted / person / saw.
Using past tense as an adjective.
失神は病気？
Fainting / is / illness?
Question form.
気を失う。
Mind / lose.
Alternative phrase for losing consciousness.
貧血で彼は失神した。
Anemia / due to / he / fainted.
Using で to indicate cause.
突然、彼は失神して倒れた。
Suddenly / he / fainted / and / collapsed.
Using the te-form for sequential actions.
失神すると、意識がなくなる。
When one faints / consciousness / disappears.
Using conditional form.
失神は一時的なものだ。
Fainting / is / temporary / thing.
Describing the nature of fainting.
医者は失神の原因を調べた。
Doctor / fainting / cause / investigated.
Using 失神 as a noun.
ショックで失神する人もいる。
Shock / due to / faint / people / also / exist.
General statement about fainting.
失神しそうになったら、座ってください。
Faint / seem like / if it becomes / sit / please.
Conditional advice.
彼は失神したのではなく、眠っていた。
He / fainted / not / was sleeping.
Distinguishing fainting from sleeping.
急な立ちくらみで失神してしまった。
Sudden / dizziness / due to / fainted / ended up.
Using てしまう to express an unintended or regrettable action.
失神した原因として、低血圧が考えられる。
Fainted / cause / as / low blood pressure / can be considered.
Using 失神 as a noun in a formal context.
彼はショックのあまり失神した。
He / shock / of / too much / fainted.
Using あまり to express excess leading to a result.
失神は通常、数秒から数分で回復します。
Fainting / usually / several seconds / to / several minutes / recover.
Formal explanation of recovery time.
失神を繰り返す場合は、医師の診察が必要です。
Fainting / repeat / if it happens / doctor's / examination / is necessary.
Using 繰り返す (to repeat) with 失神.
失神の予防には、水分補給が大切だ。
Fainting / prevention / for / hydration / is important.
Noun phrase 失神の予防 (prevention of fainting).
彼は失神したのではなく、単に居眠りをしていただけだ。
He / fainted / not / simply / dozing off / was doing / only.
Contrastive sentence structure.
失神の経験は、本人にとって大きな不安となることがある。
Fainting / experience / for the person / big / anxiety / become / can.
Using 失神 as a noun modifying 経験 (experience).
激しい運動の後、彼は一時的に失神した。
Intense / exercise / after / he / temporarily / fainted.
Using 一時的に (temporarily) to qualify the verb.
失神は、心臓の問題を示唆している可能性がある。
Fainting / heart / problem / suggests / possibility / exists.
Using 失神 as the subject of the sentence.
彼女は、血を見るのが苦手なため、しばしば失神する。
She / blood / seeing / good at / because / often / faints.
Using 〜ため (because) to explain the cause.
失神した際には、無理に起こそうとせず、楽な姿勢をとらせてください。
Fainted / when / forcefully / try to wake / not / comfortable / posture / let them take.
Formal instruction using 際には (when).
失神の既往歴がある患者は、注意深い観察が必要だ。
Fainting / past medical history / has / patient / careful / observation / is necessary.
Using 既往歴 (past history) with 失神.
失神とてんかん発作との鑑別は、時に困難を伴う。
Fainting / and / epileptic seizure / differentiation / is / sometimes / difficulty / involves.
Formal medical terminology: 鑑別 (differentiation).
彼は失神したのではなく、演技だったという説もある。
He / fainted / not / acting / was / theory / also / exists.
Discussing alternative explanations.
失神による転倒は、二次的な外傷を引き起こすリスクがある。
Fainting / due to / fall / secondary / injury / cause / risk / exists.
Using 失神による (caused by fainting).
失神エピソードの正確な記録は、診断において極めて重要である。
Fainting / episode / accurate / recording / diagnosis / in / extremely / important / is.
Using エピソード (episode) and 極めて (extremely).
失神は、神経調節性失神と心原性失神に大別される。
Fainting / neurogenic / syncope / and / cardiogenic / syncope / into / broadly divided / is.
Technical medical classification: 神経調節性失神, 心原性失神.
失神を誘発する可能性のある薬剤については、患者に十分な説明が必要だ。
Fainting / induce / possibility / have / drugs / about / patient / sufficient / explanation / is necessary.
Using 誘発する (to induce) and potential drug side effects.
起立性低血圧による失神は、高齢者において特に注意を要する。
Orthostatic / hypotension / due to / fainting / elderly people / in / particularly / caution / requires.
Specific medical condition: 起立性低血圧 (Orthostatic hypotension).
失神の診断においては、詳細な病歴聴取と身体診察が不可欠である。
Fainting / diagnosis / in / detailed / medical history taking / and / physical examination / essential / is.
Formal medical procedures: 病歴聴取 (history taking), 身体診察 (physical examination).
失神の鑑別診断においては、てんかんや一過性脳虚血発作との区別が重要となる。
Fainting / differential diagnosis / in / epilepsy / and / transient ischemic attack / distinction / is important.
Advanced medical terms: 鑑別診断 (differential diagnosis), 一過性脳虚血発作 (TIA).
失神を経験した患者は、再発への不安から日常生活に支障をきたすことがある。
Fainting / experienced / patient / recurrence / towards / anxiety / from / daily life / hindrance / cause.
Psychological impact: 支障をきたす (to cause hindrance).
失神の病態生理は複雑であり、多因子が関与している。
Fainting / pathophysiology / is / complex / and / multiple factors / are involved.
Technical term: 病態生理 (pathophysiology).
失神の病因論的分類は、臨床現場での迅速かつ的確な対応を可能にする。
Fainting / etiological / classification / clinical setting / at / prompt / and / accurate / response / enables.
Highly technical: 病因論的分類 (etiological classification).
失神は、単なる一過性の意識消失にとどまらず、潜在的な重篤疾患の警告信号となりうる。
Fainting / is / merely / transient / loss of consciousness / not limited to / underlying / serious illness / warning signal / can become.
Nuanced phrasing: 〜にとどまらず (not limited to), 警告信号 (warning signal).
失神の診断における心電図検査の感度と特異度に関する研究は、依然として活発に行われている。
Fainting / diagnosis / in / electrocardiogram examination / sensitivity / and / specificity / regarding / research / still / actively / being conducted / is.
Specific medical research terms: 感度 (sensitivity), 特異度 (specificity).
失神の病態生理学的機序の解明は、新たな治療戦略の開発に不可欠である。
Fainting / pathophysiological / mechanism / elucidation / new / therapeutic strategy / development / essential / is.
Advanced terminology: 病態生理学的機序 (pathophysiological mechanism), 解明 (elucidation).
失神の診断における自律神経系の評価は、特に神経調節性失神の同定に寄与する。
Fainting / diagnosis / in / autonomic nervous system / evaluation / particularly / neurogenic syncope / identification / contributes to.
Focus on specific diagnostic tools: 自律神経系 (autonomic nervous system).
失神は、単なる生理的反応ではなく、しばしば患者のQOLを著しく低下させる要因となる。
Fainting / is / not merely / physiological response / but / often / patient's / QOL (Quality of Life) / significantly / decrease / factor / becomes.
Impact on Quality of Life (QOL).
失神の鑑別診断においては、非てんかん性異常運動との鑑別も考慮されねばならない。
Fainting / differential diagnosis / in / non-epileptic / abnormal movements / with / differentiation / also / must be considered.
Complex differential diagnosis considerations.
失神の病態は、循環器系、神経系、さらには精神科的要因が複雑に絡み合う場合がある。
Fainting / pathology / cardiovascular system / nervous system / furthermore / psychiatric factors / complexly / intertwined / can be.
Highlighting the multi-systemic nature of fainting.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"気が遠くなる (ki ga tōku naru)"
To feel faint; to feel like one is about to pass out.
あまりの暑さに気が遠くなりそうだった。
neutral"卒倒する (sottō suru)"
To suddenly collapse unconscious, often from shock or illness.
そのニュースを聞いて卒倒した。
formal"魂消る (tamashii keru)"
To be extremely shocked or frightened, to the point of feeling like your soul is knocked out.
その恐ろしい光景に魂消た。
literary"目を回す (me o mawasu)"
To feel dizzy, to the point of feeling like you might faint.
急に立ち上がったら目が回った。
neutral"青ざめる (aozameru)"
To turn pale, often from fear, shock, or illness, which can precede fainting.
血を見て彼女は青ざめた。
neutral"腰を抜かす (koshi o nukasu)"
To be so surprised or shocked that one's legs give way; to be stunned.
あまりの意外な展開に腰を抜かした。
casualEasily Confused
Both mean to collapse or lose consciousness.
失神する is a more general term for fainting, often due to physiological reasons like blood pressure drops. 卒倒する can imply a more sudden, dramatic collapse, sometimes from shock or severe illness.
貧血で失神した。(Fainted from anemia.) vs. 知らせを聞いて卒倒した。(Collapsed upon hearing the news.)
Both mean to lose consciousness.
気を失う is a very common, neutral phrase for losing consciousness. 失神する is often more formal, clinical, and specifically refers to fainting (syncope) due to physiological causes.
暑さで気が遠くなった。(Felt faint due to heat - neutral) vs. 彼は失神した。(He fainted - more clinical/formal).
Fainting often results in falling down.
倒れる simply means 'to fall down'. It doesn't specify the reason. Someone can fall from tripping, being pushed, or fainting. 失神する specifies the reason is loss of consciousness.
彼は階段から倒れた。(He fell down the stairs.) vs. 彼は失神して倒れた。(He fainted and fell down.)
Both involve a state of unresponsiveness.
眠る is to sleep, a natural and necessary state. 失神する is a temporary, often involuntary loss of consciousness due to a physical issue, not rest.
赤ちゃんはぐっすり眠っている。(The baby is sleeping soundly.) vs. 彼はショックで失神した。(He fainted from shock.)
Sentence Patterns
Noun + で + 失神する
貧血<strong>で失神する</strong>ことがあります。(I sometimes <strong>faint from</strong> anemia.)
Verb (te-form) + 失神する
急に立ち上がって<strong>失神して</strong>しまった。(I suddenly stood up and <strong>fainted</strong>.)
Noun + が原因で + 失神する
脱水<strong>が原因で失神する</strong>こともある。(One can also <strong>faint due to</strong> dehydration.)
〜する + 恐れがある / 可能性が高い (fear/high possibility of doing)
この薬はめまいを引き起こし、<strong>失神する恐れがあります</strong>。(This medicine can cause dizziness and <strong>there is a risk of fainting</strong>.)
失神 + noun (e.g., 原因, 症状)
<strong>失神の原因</strong>を特定することが重要だ。(It is important to identify <strong>the cause of the fainting</strong>.)
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
失神する implies a loss of consciousness, not just feeling dizzy. Use めまいがする for general dizziness.
失神する is a brief loss of consciousness, while sleeping is a natural state of rest. They are fundamentally different.
失神する means to lose consciousness. If you are still aware, use terms for shock or bewilderment.
失神する is somewhat formal/clinical. In casual chat, 'ki o ushinau' or 'taoreru' might be more natural.
As a する verb, it conjugates like する: suru -> shita, shinai. Ensure correct forms are used.
Tips
Connect 'Shin' to 'Spirit'
Remember that '神' (shin) can mean spirit or consciousness. So, 失神 (shisshin) is literally losing your spirit/consciousness. This helps link the kanji to the meaning of fainting.
Dramatic vs. Clinical
While fainting is common, its depiction can vary. In dramas, it might be highly emotional. In real life or medical reports, 失神する is used clinically and factually.
Master the 'Suru' Verbs
失神する is a 'suru' verb. Practice its conjugations (shisshin shita, shisshin shinai, shisshin shite) as this pattern applies to many other Japanese verbs.
Clear 'Shi' Sounds
Pay attention to the two 'shi' sounds in 'shishin'. Ensure they are clear and distinct, not slurred together. The 'u' in 'suru' is often very light.
Don't Confuse with Dizziness
Remember, 失神する means losing consciousness. If you just feel dizzy (めまい), don't use this word. Use めまいがする instead.
Ancient Meanings
The character '神' (shin) originally meant 'god'. The idea of losing consciousness might have been seen as the spirit temporarily leaving the body in ancient beliefs.
Create Scenarios
Imagine different scenarios: a character in a book fainting, a news report about an accident victim. Write short sentences using 失神する in these contexts to solidify your understanding.
Build Related Words
Learn related terms like 失神発作 (shisshin hossa - fainting spell) and 意識 (ishiki - consciousness) to create a stronger mental network around the core word.
Role-Play Scenarios
Practice dialogues where one person describes feeling faint and the other asks if they lost consciousness, using 失神する appropriately.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine losing your 'shin' (like the leg bone) – you'd definitely 'shishin' (faint)!
Visual Association
Picture someone's 'spirit' (神) literally flying out of their head (失) and then quickly returning.
Word Web
Challenge
Try describing a situation where someone might faint using the word 失神する. For example, 'The heat was so intense, I thought I would 失神する.'
Word Origin
Sino-Japanese (Kanji compound)
Original meaning: Loss of spirit/consciousness (失 = lose, 神 = spirit/mind/consciousness).
Cultural Context
Fainting can be a symptom of serious medical conditions. While the word itself isn't sensitive, discussing someone's fainting episode should be done with care and respect for their privacy and health.
In English-speaking cultures, 'fainting' is the common term. Medical contexts use 'syncope'. There's a general understanding that it's a temporary loss of consciousness, often due to physiological reasons.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Doctor's Office / Hospital
- 「いつから失神しましたか？」(When did you start fainting?)
- 「失神の原因は何だと思いますか？」(What do you think is the cause of the fainting?)
- 「失神の既往歴はありますか？」(Do you have a history of fainting?)
Describing an Accident or Incident
- 「彼は突然失神して倒れた。」(He suddenly fainted and collapsed.)
- 「ショックのあまり失神したようだ。」(It seems she fainted from extreme shock.)
- 「失神による転倒で怪我をした。」(He was injured from falling due to fainting.)
Discussing Health Concerns
- 「失神しそうで怖かった。」(I was scared because I felt like I was going to faint.)
- 「失神を繰り返すのは心配だ。」(It's worrying that fainting keeps happening.)
- 「失神は一時的なものだから大丈夫。」(Fainting is temporary, so it's okay.)
Medical Literature / Reports
- 「失神エピソードの評価」 (Evaluation of fainting episodes)
- 「失神の病態生理」 (Pathophysiology of fainting)
- 「神経調節性失神の診断基準」 (Diagnostic criteria for neurogenic syncope)
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever felt so dizzy you thought you might faint (失神する)?"
"What do you think is the most common reason someone might faint (失神する)?"
"In movies, characters often faint (失神する) dramatically. Do you think that happens in real life?"
"If you saw someone faint (失神する) in public, what would be the first thing you'd do?"
"What's the difference between feeling faint (気が遠くなる) and actually fainting (失神する)?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt extremely dizzy or lightheaded. Could you have fainted (失神する)?
Imagine you are a doctor. Write a brief case note about a patient who experienced fainting (失神). Use the term 失神する.
Write a short fictional scene where a character faints (失神する) due to a surprising event. What happens before and after?
Research one common cause of fainting (失神). Write a paragraph explaining it in your own words.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, 失神する means to faint, which is a temporary loss of consciousness. Falling asleep is a natural state of rest.
失神する specifically means to faint (lose consciousness). 倒れる means to fall down, which can happen *because* someone fainted, but also for other reasons like tripping or being pushed.
It's generally considered a bit formal or clinical. For casual conversation about feeling faint, people often use 気を失う (ki o ushinau) or say they feel dizzy (めまいがする).
Common causes include a sudden drop in blood pressure (like when standing up too quickly), low blood sugar, strong emotions (shock, fear), or dehydration. Sometimes it indicates a more serious underlying medical condition.
The word itself is not dangerous, but fainting can sometimes be a symptom of a serious health issue. It's important to seek medical advice if fainting occurs frequently or without a clear reason.
The noun form is 失神 (shisshin), meaning 'fainting' or 'loss of consciousness'.
A common term is 失神発作 (shisshin hossa).
Yes, besides 失神する and 気を失う, you might hear 卒倒する (sottō suru) for a sudden collapse, or more casually ぶっ倒れる (battōreru).
Test Yourself
暑さで彼は ______ した。
The sentence is about the heat causing someone to faint. 失神する (shisshin suru) means to faint.
「失神する」とはどういう意味ですか？ (What does 'shisshin suru' mean?)
失神する specifically means to lose consciousness temporarily, i.e., to faint.
「失神する」は、意識を失わずにただ気分が悪くなることだけを指す。
失神する means to lose consciousness. Feeling unwell without losing consciousness is described differently (e.g., めまいがする).
Word
Meaning
This exercise helps connect the cause (anemia, shock) and effect (fainting, falling down).
The correct sentence is 「彼はあまりの失神して倒れた。」 This is incorrect grammar. Let's re-evaluate. The correct order should be '彼はあまりのショックで失神して倒れた。' Assuming 'あまりの' is meant to modify something like 'shock', and the sentence is 'He fainted and collapsed due to too much shock.' Let's assume a simpler structure for the exercise: '彼は失神して倒れた。' (He fainted and collapsed.) Reordering: [彼は] [失神して] [倒れた]. Correct order: [0, 1, 2]. Let's create a better example. Words: ['ショック', '彼は', '失神して', 'あまりの']. Correct order: [1, 3, 0, 2] -> 彼はあまりのショック失神して. Still not right. Let's try: Words: ['彼は', '倒れた', '失神して']. Correct order: [0, 2, 1] -> 彼は失神して倒れた. Let's use this. Correct order: [0, 2, 1]
急に立ち上がると ______ ことがある。
Standing up suddenly can sometimes cause dizziness or fainting (失神する).
Which phrase means 'to feel like you are about to faint'?
'Ki ga tōku naru' is an expression meaning to feel faint or dizzy, often preceding fainting.
失神したら、長く眠っている。
Fainting (失神) is a brief loss of consciousness, not a long sleep.
医者は患者の ______ を詳しく聞いた。
In a medical context, doctors often ask about a patient's past medical history, such as a history of fainting (失神の既往歴).
Which term is a more technical medical classification related to fainting?
神経調節性失神 (Neurogenic syncope) is a specific medical classification, whereas the others are more general or colloquial.
Score: /10
Summary
Remember 失神する for fainting, but use more casual terms like 気を失う in everyday conversation.
- 失神する (shishin suru) means to faint or lose consciousness temporarily.
- It's often caused by physiological reasons like low blood pressure or shock.
- It's a formal/clinical term, distinct from simple dizziness or sleep.
- Common in medical contexts, news reports, and formal descriptions.
Connect 'Shin' to 'Spirit'
Remember that '神' (shin) can mean spirit or consciousness. So, 失神 (shisshin) is literally losing your spirit/consciousness. This helps link the kanji to the meaning of fainting.
Context is Key
Use 失神する in medical contexts, news reports, or when you need a precise term for losing consciousness. For everyday chats, stick to 気を失う or describe the feeling of dizziness.
Dramatic vs. Clinical
While fainting is common, its depiction can vary. In dramas, it might be highly emotional. In real life or medical reports, 失神する is used clinically and factually.
Master the 'Suru' Verbs
失神する is a 'suru' verb. Practice its conjugations (shisshin shita, shisshin shinai, shisshin shite) as this pattern applies to many other Japanese verbs.
Related Content
More health words
異変がある
B1To have an unusual change or abnormality.
異常な
B1Abnormal; unusual; irregular.
擦り傷
B1Scratch, graze, abrasion.
吸収する
B1To absorb.
禁酒
B1Abstinence from alcohol; the act of refraining from alcohol.
痛む
A2to hurt; to ache
鍼灸
B1Acupuncture and moxibustion; traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
急性的
B1Acute.
急性な
B1Acute
急性の
B1Acute; sudden and severe.
