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B1 verb 8 min read

失神する

Examples Notes & Tips 失神する in 30 Seconds
Explanation 失神する in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'shisshin suru' yet, but it is good to know that it means 'to faint.' You might learn simpler words like 'taoreru' (to fall down) or 'itai' (pain). Think of 'shisshin suru' as a special word for when someone's eyes close and they stop moving for a little while because they feel sick or surprised. In simple Japanese, we might say 'kibun ga warukute, taoreta' (I felt bad and fell down). 'Shisshin suru' is just a more adult, serious way to say that. You might see it in a picture book or hear it in a cartoon when a character gets a big surprise and falls over with stars around their head. Just remember: it means someone 'lost their spirit' (shitsu + shin) for a moment. If you see someone faint, you should tell a teacher or a doctor right away! This word is a 'suru-verb,' which means you add 'suru' to the end to make it an action.
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For A2 learners, 'shisshin suru' is a useful word to recognize in health-related conversations. You are starting to learn more 'kango' (words made of two kanji). 'Shisshin' is one of them. You might use it if you are describing a story about someone who got too hot in the sun. Instead of just saying 'taoreta' (fell down), you can say 'shisshin shita' to show they actually lost consciousness. This makes your Japanese sound a bit more precise. You should also learn the phrase 'shisshin shisou' which means 'looks like they will faint.' This is common when talking about being very tired or being in a very crowded, hot train in Tokyo. At this level, focus on the past tense 'shisshin shimashita' and the reason-marker 'de'. For example: 'Atsusa de shisshin shimashita' (I fainted because of the heat). It is a formal word, so it's perfect for when you need to explain a situation clearly to someone in charge.
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At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'shisshin suru' correctly in both medical and emotional contexts. This is the target level for this word. You should understand that 'shisshin' is a more formal alternative to 'ki o ushinau.' You are expected to use it when writing reports, describing news articles, or discussing health issues. You should also be comfortable with different grammar patterns, such as 'shisshin suru hodo' (to the extent of fainting). For example, 'shisshin suru hodo odoroku' (to be so surprised you could faint). At this stage, you should also start noticing the difference between 'shisshin' and 'kizetsu.' While 'kizetsu' often implies a more violent or sudden loss of consciousness (like from a punch), 'shisshin' is more common for internal causes like low blood pressure or shock. Using 'shisshin' shows that you have a good grasp of formal Japanese vocabulary and can distinguish between colloquial and professional registers.
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'shisshin suru' and be able to use it in complex sentence structures. You might encounter this word in literature, legal documents, or advanced news broadcasts. You should understand the causative form 'shisshin saseru' (to cause someone to faint) and how it's used in different contexts—for example, a medicine's side effect or a physical attack. You should also be aware of related terms like 'vagus nerve syncope' (meisou shinkei hansei shisshin), which is a common medical phrase in Japan. At this level, you can use 'shisshin' to describe abstract situations metaphorically, though it's less common than literal usage. You should also be able to explain the kanji origins (失 and 神) to others, demonstrating your deep understanding of the language. Your ability to choose between 'shisshin,' 'kizetsu,' and 'sottou' based on the specific atmosphere of your writing or speech is a hallmark of the B2 level.
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For C1 learners, 'shisshin suru' is a word you should use with complete mastery, including its use in technical medical discussions or high-level literary analysis. You should be able to discuss the physiological causes of syncope in Japanese, using terms like 'nouketsu-ryu' (cerebral blood flow) or 'ishiki shougai' (consciousness disorder). You might study how 'shisshin' is portrayed in classic Japanese novels as a sign of 'higan' (the other side) or extreme emotional fragility. At this level, you should also be familiar with the historical evolution of the word and how it has been used in different eras of Japanese literature. You can use 'shisshin' in professional medical writing or when translating complex English texts into natural, high-level Japanese. Your understanding of the word extends beyond its basic definition to include its cultural weight and the specific imagery it evokes in the mind of a native speaker.
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At the C2 level, 'shisshin suru' is part of a vast repertoire of terms for states of consciousness. You understand the subtle distinctions between 'shisshin,' 'kontou,' 'sottou,' and 'moushou.' You can analyze the use of 'shisshin' in specific legal cases (e.g., whether a defendant was in a state of 'shisshin' during a crime) or in philosophical treatises regarding the nature of the 'shin' (spirit). You are capable of using the word with absolute precision in any context, from a casual joke to a doctoral thesis. You might also explore the use of the word in archaic or highly specialized dialects. For a C2 learner, 'shisshin suru' is not just a verb; it's a point of entry into a deeper discussion about the intersection of body and mind in Japanese thought. You can use it to create specific stylistic effects in your own creative writing, choosing it for its phonetic qualities or its kanji symbolism.
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Examples Notes & Tips

失神する in 30 Seconds

  • 失神する (shisshin suru) means to faint or lose consciousness temporarily due to physical or emotional factors.
  • It is a formal 'kango' verb, making it suitable for medical, news, or literary contexts in Japan.
  • The word combines 'loss' (失) and 'spirit/mind' (神), literally meaning to lose one's consciousness.
  • Common synonyms include 'ki o ushinau' (casual) and 'kizetsu suru' (sudden/violent fainting).

The Japanese verb 失神する (shisshin suru) is a formal and semi-medical term used to describe the act of fainting or losing consciousness temporarily. Linguistically, it is a compound verb formed by the noun 失神 (shisshin) and the auxiliary verb する (suru). The word is composed of two powerful kanji characters: 失 (shitsu), which means 'to lose' or 'to miss,' and 神 (shin), which in this context refers to one's 'spirit,' 'consciousness,' or 'mind.' Therefore, the literal translation is 'to lose one's spirit' or 'to lose one's consciousness.'

Medical Context
In a clinical setting, 失神する refers to syncope, which is a temporary loss of consciousness usually related to insufficient blood flow to the brain. Doctors use this term to diagnose patients who have 'blacked out' due to low blood pressure, dehydration, or neurological issues.
Dramatic or Emotional Context
In literature, anime, or news reporting, this word is often employed to describe someone fainting from extreme shock, fear, or even overwhelming joy. For instance, a fan might 'shisshin suru' upon meeting their favorite idol, or a character might faint after hearing devastating news.

あまりのショックに、彼女はその場で失神するかと思った。 (I thought she would faint on the spot from the sheer shock.)

While 'shisshin suru' is very common, it is slightly more formal than the phrase 気を失う (ki o ushinau), which is the standard colloquial way to say 'faint.' If you are writing a report or speaking to a doctor, 'shisshin' is the preferred choice. However, in casual conversation with friends, 'ki o ushinau' feels more natural. Understanding the nuance between these two is key for B1 level learners who are transitioning from basic survival Japanese to more nuanced expression.

彼は暑さのあまり、道端で失神した。 (He fainted on the roadside due to the intense heat.)

Register and Nuance
Formal/Medical: 失神する (shisshin suru). Colloquial/General: 気を失う (ki o ushinau). Sudden/Dramatic: 気絶する (kizetsu suru).

In summary, 'shisshin suru' is a versatile verb that spans across medical, literary, and everyday contexts. It captures the physical state of losing consciousness with a touch of gravity that simpler phrases might lack. Whether you are describing a medical emergency or a dramatic scene in a novel, this word provides the necessary weight to the situation.

Using 失神する correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a Suru-verb and its typical sentence structures. Because it describes a state change (from conscious to unconscious), it is frequently used in the past tense (shisshin shita) or in conditional forms to describe potential risks.

The Cause-Effect Structure
Most sentences involving this verb follow the pattern: [Cause/Reason] + [Particle] + 失神する. Common particles include で (de) for causes like heat or illness, and に (ni) for triggers like shock or surprise.

貧血で失神する人が増えている。 (The number of people fainting due to anemia is increasing.)

Another common usage is the 'V-sou ni naru' form, which means 'almost fainted' or 'seemed like they would faint.' This is perfect for describing moments of extreme dizziness or emotional overwhelm where the person didn't actually lose consciousness but felt close to it.

あまりの痛みに失神しそうになった。 (I almost fainted from the extreme pain.)

In more complex sentences, you might see it paired with adverbs like 不意に (fui ni - suddenly) or 一瞬 (isshun - for a moment). These adverbs help clarify the duration and suddenness of the event, which is essential for accurate medical or narrative descriptions.

彼は一瞬失神したが、すぐに意識を取り戻した。 (He fainted for a moment but regained consciousness immediately.)

Negative Form
The negative form 'shisshin shinai' is often used in medical advice, such as 'Take this medicine so you don't faint' (shisshin shinai you ni...).

Finally, consider the causative form: shisshin saseru (to make someone faint). This is often used in action movies or crime novels where a character might knock someone out. By mastering these variations, you can use 'shisshin suru' in a wide range of scenarios beyond just a simple medical statement.

You will encounter 失神する in several specific environments in Japan. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize when it is appropriate to use this term versus its synonyms.

1. Medical and Emergency Settings
If you are at a hospital or watching a medical drama like 'Code Blue' or 'Doctor-X', you will hear doctors and nurses use 'shisshin' constantly. It is the technical term for syncope. Emergency dispatchers (119 in Japan) will also use this word to ask if a patient is conscious.

患者が失神しました！救急車を呼んでください！ (The patient has fainted! Please call an ambulance!)

2. News and Journalism
When a major incident occurs—such as a heatwave causing people to collapse at a sports event or a suspect fainting during a trial—news anchors will use 'shisshin shita' to maintain a professional and objective tone.
3. Literature and Manga
In fictional storytelling, 'shisshin suru' adds a layer of drama. Whether it's a character in a mystery novel who faints after discovering a body, or a protagonist in a romance manga who faints from a sudden confession, the word heightens the emotional stakes.

犯人は被害者を失神させてから、部屋を去った。 (The culprit made the victim faint before leaving the room.)

You might also hear it in the context of sports, particularly combat sports like Judo or MMA, where a chokehold or a strike might cause a competitor to 'shisshin' temporarily. In these cases, the referee will immediately stop the match.

Overall, 'shisshin suru' is a word you'll hear when things get serious. It conveys a specific physical state that requires attention, making it a vital part of your vocabulary for understanding Japanese media and handling real-life emergencies.

While 失神する is a straightforward verb, learners often make a few key mistakes regarding its nuance and usage compared to similar terms.

Mistake 1: Confusing it with 'Nemuru' (To Sleep)
Some beginners might use 'shisshin suru' when they mean they fell asleep very quickly or deeply. However, 'shisshin' implies a loss of consciousness due to medical or emotional reasons, not natural rest. For falling asleep quickly, use 寝落ちする (neochi suru) or 爆睡する (bakusui suru).

❌ 昨日は疲れていて、ベッドで失神した。
✅ 昨日は疲れていて、ベッドですぐ寝てしまった。

Mistake 2: Using it for 'Passing Out' (Drunk)
In English, we say someone 'passed out' when they drank too much. In Japanese, using 'shisshin suru' for a drunk person sounds like they had a stroke or a serious medical emergency. Instead, use 泥酔して寝る (deisui shite neru) or 意識をなくす (ishiki o nakusu) if they are truly unresponsive.
Mistake 3: Overusing it in Casual Speech
Because 'shisshin suru' is a kango (Chinese-origin word), it carries a formal weight. Using it while joking about a small surprise can sound overly dramatic or like a textbook sentence. For lighthearted 'fainting' (like seeing a cute cat), use 倒れそう (taoresou) or キュン死する (kyun-shi suru) in slang.

❌ その猫が可愛すぎて、私は失神した。
✅ その猫が可愛すぎて、悶絶した。

Finally, ensure you don't confuse 失神 (fainting) with 失策 (shissaku - a blunder) or 失踪 (shissou - disappearance). While they all start with the kanji for 'loss', the meanings are vastly different. Always check the second kanji to confirm the context!

Japanese has several ways to express the idea of losing consciousness. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the cause of the fainting.

1. 気を失う (Ki o ushinau)
Usage: This is the most common and versatile phrase. It literally means 'to lose one's ki (energy/consciousness).' It is less formal than 'shisshin suru' and is used in everyday stories, movies, and conversations. If you aren't sure which one to use, this is the safest bet.
2. 気絶する (Kizetsu suru)
Usage: This word sounds more sudden and violent than 'shisshin.' It is often used for fainting caused by a blow to the head, intense pain, or a shocking event. It is very common in action manga and anime (e.g., being knocked out in a fight).
3. 卒倒する (Sottou suru)
Usage: This is a literary and somewhat old-fashioned term. It emphasizes the physical act of falling over while losing consciousness. You might see this in classic literature or very formal news reports.

Comparison:
• 失神: Medical/Formal (Syncope)
• 気絶: Violent/Sudden (Knockout)
• 気を失う: Natural/Common (Faint)

There is also the term 意識不明 (ishiki fumei), which means 'unconscious' but is used as a noun/adjective to describe a sustained state, often in critical condition at a hospital. While 'shisshin suru' is the action of fainting, 'ishiki fumei' is the state after fainting if the person doesn't wake up.

By learning these alternatives, you can tailor your Japanese to the specific situation. Use 'shisshin suru' for formal or medical reports, '気を失う' for general storytelling, and '気絶する' for dramatic, sudden incidents. This level of vocabulary control is what separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers.

Fun Fact

The kanji '神' (shin) usually means 'God' in Japanese, but in medical and psychological terms, it refers to the mind or nerves (as in 'shinkei' - nerves). So 'shisshin' is literally 'losing your mind' in a physical sense!

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɕiɕːiɴ sɯɾɯ
US ɕiɕːin sʊru
The pitch accent is usually flat (Heiban), meaning the pitch starts low on 'shi' and stays high for 'sshin suru'.
Rhymes With
Isshin (one mind) Kesshin (determination) Zenshin (whole body) Nisshin (daily progress) Genshin (original person) Denshin (telegraph) Kanshin (interest) Sanshin (strike out in baseball)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it as 'shishin' (one 's') instead of 'shisshin' (double 's').
  • Over-emphasizing the final 'u' in 'suru'.
  • Mixing up the pitch accent with 'shishin' (private message/fingerprint).
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Examples by Level

1

彼は失神しました。

He fainted.

Simple past tense of a suru-verb.

2

失神するかもしれません。

I might faint.

Verb + kamoshiremasen (might).

3

暑くて失神した。

It was hot and I fainted.

Te-form of adjective showing cause.

4

失神しないでください。

Please don't faint.

Nai-form + de kudasai (please don't).

5

彼女は失神したのですか？

Did she faint?

Question form with 'no desu ka'.

6

びっくりして失神した。

I was surprised and fainted.

Te-form of verb showing cause.

7

失神は怖いです。

Fainting is scary.

Noun form of shisshin.

8

ここで失神しました。

I fainted here.

Location particle 'de'.

1

注射を見て失神した。

I fainted after seeing the needle.

Verb te-form indicating sequence/cause.

2

失神しそうになった。

I almost fainted.

Stem + sou ni naru (almost did).

3

彼は時々失神する。

He faints sometimes.

Frequency adverb 'tokidoki'.

4

失神した原因は何ですか？

What was the cause of the fainting?

Noun 'gen'in' (cause).

5

彼女が失神するのを見た。

I saw her faint.

Verb + no o mita (saw the act of).

6

失神した後、病院へ行った。

After fainting, I went to the hospital.

Verb past + ato (after).

7

あまりの空腹に失神した。

I fainted from extreme hunger.

Noun + ni (due to).

8

失神するのは珍しいことではない。

Fainting is not a rare thing.

Nominalized verb + negative adjective.

1

満員電車の中で失神してしまった。

I ended up fainting inside a crowded train.

Te-shimau (unfortunate completion).

2

彼はショックのあまり、その場で失神した。

He fainted on the spot from the sheer shock.

Noun + no amari (due to excess of).

3

失神する人が出ないように注意してください。

Please be careful so that no one faints.

You ni (so that).

4

痛みで失神するのは珍しくない。

It's not uncommon to faint from pain.

Noun + de (cause).

5

もし失神したら、足を高くしてください。

If someone faints, please raise their legs.

Tara-form (if/when).

6

激しい運動の後に失神することがある。

There are cases of fainting after intense exercise.

Verb + koto ga aru (sometimes happens).

7

彼は失神したふりをした。

He pretended to faint.

Verb + furi o suru (pretend).

8

失神する直前の記憶がない。

I have no memory of just before I fainted.

Chokuzen (just before).

1

迷走神経反射で失神することが判明した。

It was found that the fainting was due to a vasovagal response.

Noun + de (cause) + hanmei shita (became clear).

2

過呼吸によって失神する危険性がある。

There is a risk of fainting due to hyperventilation.

Niyotte (due to) + kikensei (risk).

3

彼は失神したまま、数時間放置された。

He was left fainted for several hours.

Mama (left in a state) + houchi sareta (was left).

4

そのニュースを聞いて、彼女は失神せんばかりだった。

She was almost on the verge of fainting upon hearing the news.

Sen bakari (as if about to).

5

失神を伴う発作が起きた。

A seizure accompanied by fainting occurred.

O tomonau (accompanying).

6

脱水症状が原因で失神したと思われる。

It is thought that they fainted due to dehydration.

To omowareru (is thought that).

7

失神した際の状況を詳しく教えてください。

Please tell me the details of the situation when you fainted.

Sai (formal 'when').

8

一時的な失神であれば問題ないことが多い。

If it's a temporary fainting spell, it's often not a problem.

Ba (conditional) + koto ga ooi (often the case).

1

起立性低血圧により、急激に失神する症例が報告されている。

Cases of sudden fainting due to orthostatic hypotension have been reported.

Formal medical terminology.

2

失神を繰り返す場合は、専門医の受診を勧める。

If fainting occurs repeatedly, I recommend seeing a specialist.

O susumeru (recommend).

3

過度な精神的ストレスが失神を誘発したと考えられる。

It is considered that excessive psychological stress induced the fainting.

Yuhatsu (induce) + to kangaerareru (is considered).

4

失神の既往歴がある患者には注意が必要だ。

Caution is necessary for patients with a history of fainting.

Kioureki (medical history).

5

意識消失発作と失神の識別は極めて重要である。

The differentiation between loss of consciousness seizures and syncope is extremely important.

Shikibetsu (differentiation).

6

彼は失神するほどの歓喜に包まれた。

He was enveloped in a joy so great it could make one faint.

Hodo no (to the extent of).

7

失神に至るまでのプロセスを解明する。

We will clarify the process leading up to fainting.

Ni itaru made no (leading up to).

8

突然の失神は、心臓疾患のサインである可能性がある。

Sudden fainting could possibly be a sign of heart disease.

Kanousei ga aru (there is a possibility).

1

一過性の脳虚血による失神は、予後が良好な場合が多い。

Syncope due to transient cerebral ischemia often has a good prognosis.

Technical medical jargon.

2

失神という現象は、生体防御反応の一種とも捉えられる。

The phenomenon of fainting can be seen as a type of biological defense mechanism.

To toraerareru (can be interpreted as).

3

文学作品において失神は、しばしば魂の不在を象徴する。

In literary works, fainting often symbolizes the absence of the soul.

Shouchou suru (symbolize).

4

失神状態における脳波の変動を精密に測定した。

We precisely measured the fluctuations in brain waves during a state of syncope.

Seimitsu ni (precisely).

5

失神を惹起する要因は多岐にわたる。

The factors that provoke fainting are wide-ranging.

Jakki suru (provoke/cause).

6

法医学の観点から、失神の有無が焦点となった。

From a forensic perspective, the presence or absence of fainting became the focus.

Hou-igaku (forensic medicine).

7

彼は失神の淵を彷徨っているかのような表情を浮かべた。

He had an expression as if wandering on the brink of fainting.

Fuchi o samayou (wander the brink).

8

失神を回避するための生理学的なアプローチを模索する。

We are exploring physiological approaches to avoid syncope.

Mosaku suru (to grope/explore).

Common Collocations

ショックで失神する
暑さで失神する
一瞬失神する
失神しそうになる
失神から回復する
痛みで失神する
失神を繰り返す
病院で失神する
失神状態に陥る
失神を誘発する

Common Phrases

失神寸前

— On the verge of fainting. Used to describe extreme exhaustion or shock.

彼は失神寸前まで追い込まれた。

失神者が出る

— People fainting (usually in a crowd). Common in event reports.

ライブで失神者が数名出た。

失神ごっこ

— A dangerous 'fainting game' played by children. Used in warnings.

失神ごっこは非常に危険です。

失神KO

— A knockout where the person faints. Used in combat sports.

見事な失神KO勝ちだった。

失神させる

— To make someone faint. Used in action scenes.

犯人は彼を失神させた。

失神の恐れ

— Fear or risk of fainting. Used in medical advice.

失神の恐れがあるため、安静にしてください。

一時的な失神

— Temporary fainting. Used in medical diagnoses.

これは一時的な失神でしょう。

失神を伴う

— Accompanying fainting. Used for symptoms.

失神を伴うめまいが起きた。

失神の原因

— The cause of fainting. Used in investigations.

失神の原因を特定する。

失神して倒れる

— To faint and fall down. A very common descriptive phrase.

彼は失神して倒れてしまった。

Idioms & Expressions

"失神するほど"

— To the point of fainting. Used as an intensifier for emotions.

失神するほど嬉しい。

Informal/Emotive
"腰を抜かす"

— To be so surprised or scared that one's legs give out (similar to fainting).

幽霊を見て腰を抜かした。

Colloquial
"目が点になる"

— To be stunned/frozen with surprise (cartoonish, not actual fainting).

あまりの安さに目が点になった。

Slang
"息を呑む"

— To catch one's breath in surprise (can precede fainting).

その美しさに息を呑んだ。

Literary
"血の気が引く"

— Blood draining from the face (the feeling before fainting).

その話を聞いて血の気が引いた。

Common
"天地がひっくり返る"

— The world turning upside down (the feeling of losing balance/fainting).

天地がひっくり返るような衝撃だった。

Dramatic
"魂が抜ける"

— To look like a ghost/spiritless (often after fainting).

彼は魂が抜けたような顔をしている。

Metaphorical
"泡を食う"

— To be flustered/panicked (sometimes leading to collapse).

突然のことに泡を食った。

Idiomatic
"虫の息"

— Faint breathing/on the verge of death (more serious than fainting).

彼は虫の息だった。

Serious
"意識が遠のく"

— Consciousness fading away (the process of fainting).

だんだん意識が遠のいていった。

Descriptive

Word Family

Nouns

失神 Fainting / Syncope
失神状態 State of unconsciousness

Verbs

失神させる To make someone faint (causative)
失神しそうになる To almost faint

Related

意識 (consciousness)
気絶 (fainting)
貧血 (anemia)
脳 (brain)
倒れる (to fall)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you see a 'SHIN' (God/Spirit) 'SHI' (leaving) your body. When the spirit leaves, you SHISSHIN (faint).

Visual Association

Visualize the kanji 失 (looking like a person with arms out falling) and 神 (spirit). A person whose spirit is falling away.

Word Web

失神 (Faint) 意識 (Consciousness) 病院 (Hospital) 倒れる (Fall) 救急車 (Ambulance) ショック (Shock) 暑

Word Origin

The word is a kango (Sino-Japanese word) consisting of '失' (shitsu - loss) and '神' (shin - spirit/mind). In ancient Eastern medicine, consciousness was thought to be governed by the 'spirit' residing in the body.

Original meaning: To lose one's spirit or vital energy, leading to a physical collapse.

Sino-Japanese (Kanbun origin)
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