At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'kodokukan' often. It is a big word for beginners. Instead, you usually learn 'sabishii,' which means 'lonely' or 'sad because I am alone.' However, it is good to know that 'kodokukan' is a noun. You can think of it as 'the feeling of being alone.' At this stage, just remember that the 'kan' at the end means 'feeling.' If you see this word in a book, know it is a more serious way to say 'lonely.' You might see it in simple stories about people who have no friends. It is important to know that it is a noun, so you use it with 'arimasu' (there is) or 'kanjimasu' (I feel). But for now, focus on 'sabishii' for your own talking. 'Kodokukan' is a word you will see more as you read more Japanese. It is like the difference between saying 'I am sad' and 'I have a feeling of sadness.' One is simple, and one is a bit more formal. Just try to recognize the kanji: 孤 (alone), 独 (alone), and 感 (feeling). If you see these three together, it always means 'the feeling of being lonely.'
At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more nouns that describe feelings. 'Kodokukan' is one of these. You might hear it in Japanese songs or see it in social media posts. The main thing to learn at this level is how to use it with the verb 'kanjiru' (to feel). You can say 'Kodokukan o kanjimasu' to say 'I feel a sense of loneliness.' This sounds more adult and serious than just saying 'Sabishii desu.' You might use this word when talking about living alone in a big city or moving to a new school. You should also learn that it is a noun, so you can describe it with adjectives like 'tsuyoi' (strong). For example, 'tsuyoi kodokukan' means 'a strong sense of loneliness.' You will also start to see this word in reading passages about social problems in Japan. It is a very common word in Japanese culture because many people live alone. Learning this word helps you understand the deeper feelings that Japanese people talk about. Remember, you don't 'do' (suru) kodokukan; you 'feel' (kanjiru) it. It is an internal feeling, not an action you take.
At the B1 level, 'kodokukan' is a key vocabulary word for discussing emotions and social issues. You should be able to distinguish it from 'sabishisa.' While 'sabishisa' is an emotional reaction to a specific situation, 'kodokukan' is a broader, more abstract sense of being solitary. You should start using more advanced verbs with it, such as 'idaku' (to harbor/hold) or 'oboeru' (to experience). For example, 'Kare wa kokoro no dokoka ni kodokukan o idaite ita' (He held a sense of loneliness somewhere in his heart). This level also requires you to understand how 'kodokukan' fits into sentences using particles like 'ni' and 'o.' You might encounter it in discussions about 'modern society' (gendai shakai) or 'human relationships' (ningen kankei). It is often used to describe the alienation felt in urban environments despite being surrounded by people. You should also be able to recognize it in news headlines about the 'Minister of Loneliness' or other governmental efforts to help people who feel disconnected. Understanding this word helps you participate in more meaningful conversations about life and feelings in Japan. It is no longer just a 'vocabulary word' but a concept you can use to express complex human experiences.
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'kodokukan' and its collocations. You should be comfortable using it in formal essays and debates. At this stage, you should know how to use it with verbs like 'sainamateru' (to be tormented by) or 'yawarageru' (to ease). You should also understand its relationship with terms like 'sogaikan' (alienation) and 'koritsukan' (isolation). A B2 learner should be able to explain the societal implications of 'kodokukan' in Japan, such as its link to 'kodokushi' (lonely deaths) or the decline of traditional community ties. You might use the word in a sentence like, 'SNS no f普及 wa, benri na hanmen, hitobito no kodokukan o jochō shite iru to iu shiteki mo aru' (There are also points made that the spread of SNS, while convenient, is exacerbating people's sense of loneliness). You should also be aware of the literary use of the word, where it can sometimes have a philosophical or even slightly positive 'solitude' nuance, though this is rarer. Your ability to use 'kodokukan' in the correct register—usually neutral to formal—is a sign of your maturing Japanese proficiency. You can now use it to analyze characters in literature or discuss the psychological state of a population in a sociological context.
At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the deep cultural and psychological underpinnings of 'kodokukan.' You should be able to discuss it in the context of Japanese philosophy, such as the tension between the individual and the 'wa' (harmony) of the group. You should recognize how authors like Natsume Soseki or Osamu Dazai explored 'kodokukan' as a fundamental part of the modern Japanese identity. Your usage should be precise, selecting 'kodokukan' over 'sogaikan' or 'sekiryokan' based on the exact type of loneliness being described. You should also be able to understand academic texts that use 'kodokukan' as a variable in psychological research. For instance, you might analyze how 'kodokukan' correlates with 'shiawase-do' (degree of happiness) in different demographics. You should be familiar with phrases like 'kodokukan ni uchikatsu' (to triumph over loneliness) or 'kodokukan to no kyōsei' (coexistence with loneliness). At this level, you can use the word to articulate complex existential thoughts in a way that sounds native and sophisticated. You can also understand the subtle irony when someone uses the word in a way that suggests they find a certain 'aesthetic' in their loneliness. Your command of the word allows you to navigate both the most tragic news reports and the most profound philosophical treatises with ease.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'kodokukan' is complete, allowing you to use it with the same precision and cultural awareness as a highly educated native speaker. You can engage in high-level academic discourse on the 'sociology of loneliness' or the 'psychology of the urban individual.' You understand the word's place in the history of Japanese thought, from Buddhist concepts of detachment to modern existentialist interpretations. You can use 'kodokukan' in complex grammatical structures, such as 'kodokukan o magirawasu tame no shōhi kōdō' (consumption behavior to distract from a sense of loneliness) or 'kodokukan ga ningen no sōzōsei ni ataeru eikyō' (the influence of loneliness on human creativity). You are also sensitive to the word's rhetorical power in political speeches or social activism. You can detect the subtle differences in meaning when the word is used in a clinical setting versus a poetic one. Furthermore, you can use synonyms and related terms like 'kaiko' (loneliness/solitude) or 'sekiryo' with perfect accuracy. For a C2 learner, 'kodokukan' is not just a word for a feeling; it is a lens through which to view and analyze the complexities of the human condition and the specificities of Japanese society. You can write critiques of literature that focus on 'kodokukan' as a central theme, providing deep insights into the author's intent and the cultural context of the work.

孤独感 in 30 Seconds

  • Kodokukan is a Japanese noun meaning 'sense of loneliness,' focusing on the internal feeling rather than the physical state of being alone.
  • It is commonly used in serious contexts like mental health, literature, and social issues, sounding more formal than the adjective 'sabishii.'
  • Typical verb pairings include 'kanjiru' (to feel), 'idaku' (to harbor), and 'osowareru' (to be overwhelmed or attacked by).
  • In Japan, it is a significant cultural and sociological term used to describe the alienation felt in modern urban society.

The Japanese word 孤独感 (kodokukan) is a profound noun that translates most directly to a 'sense of loneliness' or the 'feeling of being alone.' While the base word 孤独 (kodoku) refers to the state of being alone or solitude, the addition of the suffix 感 (kan), meaning 'feeling' or 'sense,' shifts the focus from an objective physical state to a subjective emotional experience. This distinction is crucial in Japanese communication because one can be surrounded by a crowd and still experience intense kodokukan. It is a word frequently used in psychological contexts, literature, and daily conversations to describe a deep-seated emotional void or a lack of connection with others.

Emotional Depth
Unlike the simpler 'sabishisa' (loneliness/sadness), kodokukan implies a more existential or heavy psychological burden. It often suggests a realization of one's fundamental isolation in the world.

都会の雑踏の中で、ふと強い孤独感に襲われた。 (In the hustle and bustle of the city, I was suddenly struck by a strong sense of loneliness.)

In modern Japanese society, this term has gained significant weight due to social phenomena such as 'hikikomori' (social withdrawal) and the 'kodokushi' (lonely death) crisis among the elderly. It is not merely a passing whim of sadness but often describes a chronic state of disconnection. People use it when discussing mental health, the impact of social media on genuine human interaction, or the alienation felt in corporate environments. It is a word that carries a certain weight of gravity, often appearing in news reports and sociological studies about the 'lonely society' (kodoku shakai).

Kanji Breakdown
孤 (ko) means orphan or solitary; 独 (doku) means alone or single; 感 (kan) means feeling. Together, they form a 'feeling of solitary singleness.'

SNSを見ていると、かえって孤独感が深まることがある。 (Looking at social media can sometimes actually deepen one's sense of loneliness.)

Culturally, there is a nuance of 'mono no aware' (the pathos of things) sometimes associated with 孤独感 in literature, where the beauty of isolation is explored. However, in contemporary usage, it is overwhelmingly viewed as a negative state that needs addressing. It is often paired with verbs like 抱く (idaku - to harbor/feel), 味わう (ajiwau - to taste/experience), or さいなまれる (sainamateru - to be tormented by). Understanding this word requires an appreciation of the Japanese value placed on harmony (wa) and belonging; to feel kodokukan is to feel outside of that essential harmony.

彼は周囲に溶け込めず、常に孤独感を感じていた。 (He couldn't fit in with his surroundings and always felt a sense of loneliness.)

Societal Context
In Japan, the government has even appointed a 'Minister of Loneliness' to tackle the rising levels of kodokukan across various age groups, highlighting its importance as a policy issue.

一人暮らしの高齢者は、しばしば深刻な孤独感に直面する。 (Elderly people living alone often face a serious sense of loneliness.)

Using 孤独感 (kodokukan) correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the specific verbs it typically collocates with. Because it is a 'sense' or 'feeling,' you don't just 'have' it in the simple English sense; you 'feel' it, 'embrace' it, or are 'attacked' by it. The most common verb used is 感じる (kanjiru), meaning 'to feel.' However, for a more literary or heavy nuance, 抱く (idaku) is used, which suggests harboring the feeling deep within one's heart over a period of time.

Common Verb Pairings
1. 孤独感を感じる (To feel a sense of loneliness) - Standard usage.
2. 孤独感を抱く (To harbor a sense of loneliness) - More internal and lasting.
3. 孤独感に襲われる (To be attacked/overwhelmed by loneliness) - Sudden and intense.

留学したばかりの頃は、言葉の壁もあり、強い孤独感を抱いていた。 (When I first studied abroad, due to the language barrier, I harbored a strong sense of loneliness.)

Another important aspect is the use of adjectives to describe the intensity of the feeling. Common descriptors include 強い (tsuyoi - strong), 深刻な (shinkoku na - serious/grave), 絶え間ない (taemanai - constant), and 耐えがたい (taegatai - unbearable). When you want to talk about relieving this feeling, you use verbs like 和らげる (yawarageru - to soften/ease), 紛らわす (magirawasu - to distract from/drown out), or 解消する (kaishō suru - to resolve/eliminate).

お酒で孤独感を紛らわそうとするのは、あまり良くない。 (Trying to drown out your sense of loneliness with alcohol is not very good.)

In formal writing or psychological analysis, you might see the phrase 孤独感を覚える (kodokukan o oboeru). While 'oboeru' usually means 'to remember,' in this context, it means 'to experience' or 'to feel' a sensation. This is a very natural way to express the onset of a feeling in written Japanese. Furthermore, you can use the structure [Noun] + による (ni yoru) + 孤独感 to describe the cause, such as 'social isolation-induced sense of loneliness' (社会的孤立による孤独感).

Descriptive Adjectives
深刻な孤独感 (Grave sense of loneliness)
一時的な孤独感 (Temporary sense of loneliness)
底知れぬ孤独感 (Bottomless/infinite sense of loneliness)

彼はその成功の影で、誰にも言えない孤独感を味わっていた。 (Behind his success, he was tasting a sense of loneliness that he couldn't tell anyone about.)

Finally, it's worth noting that kodokukan is often used in the context of 'overcoming' it. The phrase 孤独感を克服する (kodokukan o kokufuku suru) is common in self-help and motivational contexts. Whether it's through community involvement, hobbies, or therapy, the focus is on moving beyond the 'sense' of being alone. Even in academic papers, the focus remains on the 'subjective feeling' rather than the 'objective number' of social contacts, which would be 'koritsu' (isolation).

夜中に一人で起きていると、ふとした瞬間に孤独感がこみ上げてくる。 (When I'm awake alone in the middle of the night, a sense of loneliness wells up at an unexpected moment.)

孤独感 (kodokukan) is ubiquitous in Japanese media, literature, and social discourse. You will encounter it most frequently in contexts that deal with the human condition, mental health, and the changing landscape of modern society. In television dramas and movies, characters often express their kodokukan through internal monologues, especially when they feel misunderstood by those around them. It is a central theme in the works of famous authors like Haruki Murakami, where protagonists often navigate a world of profound existential loneliness.

News and Media
News programs frequently use this term when reporting on social issues like the '8050 problem' (elderly parents supporting middle-aged children) or the impact of remote work on employee mental health. It is treated as a public health concern.

最近の調査によると、若者の間でSNSによる孤独感が高まっているという。 (According to recent surveys, the sense of loneliness caused by social media is increasing among young people.)

In the music industry, particularly in J-Pop and J-Rock lyrics, kodokukan is a recurring motif. Songwriters use it to tap into the listener's own feelings of being an outsider or yearning for connection. It’s often portrayed with a sense of melancholy but also sometimes as a catalyst for self-discovery. If you listen to ballads or alternative tracks, listen for the 'kan' suffix attached to 'kodoku' to see if they are talking about the *feeling* rather than just the *state*.

歌詞の中に描かれる孤独感に、多くの若者が共感している。 (Many young people emphasize with the sense of loneliness depicted in the lyrics.)

In the workplace, HR professionals and career counselors use kodokukan when discussing 'burnout' or 'onboarding' challenges. New employees who feel disconnected from their teams are said to experience kodokukan. You might hear it in seminars about 'psychological safety' (shinriteki anzensei). It is also a staple in the 'Self-Help' (jiko keihatsu) section of bookstores, where titles promise ways to 'turn loneliness into strength' (孤独感を力に変える).

Academic and Medical Settings
Psychologists use the term to differentiate between 'objective social isolation' and 'subjective loneliness.' It is a key metric in mental health assessments in Japan.

心理学の講義で、現代人の孤独感の構造について学んだ。 (In the psychology lecture, I learned about the structure of the sense of loneliness in modern people.)

Lastly, you'll hear it in casual but serious heart-to-heart talks (shinpuku no tomo - bosom friends). When someone is opening up about their struggles, they might say, 'Zutto kodokukan ga atte...' (I've always had this sense of loneliness...). It signals a level of trust, as sharing one's kodokukan is seen as revealing a very vulnerable part of the self. It is not a word used for lighthearted banter, but for the moments that define our shared human experience.

人生相談のコーナーには、深い孤独感を訴える手紙が絶えない。 (Letters pleading about a deep sense of loneliness never cease in the life consultation section.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 孤独感 (kodokukan) with the simpler word 寂しい (sabishii). While they both relate to loneliness, sabishii is an adjective that often describes a temporary, situational feeling—like missing a friend or feeling a bit down on a rainy day. Kodokukan, being a noun, describes a more abstract, persistent, and often deeper psychological state. You wouldn't say 'kodokukan desu' to mean 'I'm lonely' in a casual way; instead, you would say 'sabishii desu.'

Mistake 1: Over-usage in Casual Situations
Using 'kodokukan' when you just mean you're bored or briefly alone. It's too heavy for 'I'm home alone tonight and it's quiet.'

× 今夜は一人で孤独感です。
○ 今夜は一人で寂しいです。 (I'm lonely alone tonight.)

Another error involves confusing kodokukan with 孤立 (koritsu). Koritsu means 'isolation' in an objective sense—for example, a village being isolated by a snowstorm or a person having no social contacts. You can be 'isolated' (koritsu) without feeling 'lonely' (kodokukan), and you can feel 'lonely' (kodokukan) without being 'isolated' (koritsu). Mixing these up can lead to misunderstandings in sociological or medical discussions.

× 社会的孤独感を防ぐ対策。
○ 社会的孤立を防ぐ対策。 (Measures to prevent social isolation.)

Learners also sometimes struggle with the verb agreement. Since kodokukan is a sense, you 'feel' it (感じる) or 'bear/harbor' it (抱く). Using 'suru' (to do) with kodokukan is grammatically incorrect. You don't 'do' a sense of loneliness; it is something that arises within you or that you carry. Similarly, be careful with the particle ni versus o. You feel the sense (kodokukan o kanjiru), but you are attacked *by* the sense (kodokukan ni osowareru).

Mistake 2: Verb Misuse
Saying 'kodokukan suru' instead of 'kodokukan o kanjiru'. 'Kan' words usually take 'kanjiru' or 'oboeru'.

× 彼はいつも孤独感します。
○ 彼はいつも孤独感を感じています。 (He always feels a sense of loneliness.)

Lastly, remember that kodokukan is a noun. Beginners often try to use it as an adjective (e.g., 'kodokukan na hito'). While you can say 'kodoku na hito' (a lonely person), 'kodokukan' requires a possessive or descriptive structure like 'kodokukan o kakaeta hito' (a person carrying a sense of loneliness). Using the 'kan' version makes the sentence more about the internal experience of the person rather than just a label of their character.

× 彼は孤独感な学生だった。
○ 彼は孤独な学生だった。 (He was a lonely student.)

To truly master 孤独感 (kodokukan), it's helpful to compare it with other words in the 'loneliness' family. Each has a specific nuance that changes the tone of your sentence. The most basic alternative is 寂しさ (sabishisa), which is the noun form of 'sabishii.' It's more emotional, personal, and common in daily speech. If kodokukan is a clinical or literary term, sabishisa is the warmth or coldness you feel in your heart when a friend leaves.

Kodokukan vs. Sabishisa
Kodokukan: Existential, deep, often used for societal issues or psychological states.
Sabishisa: Personal, emotional, situational, used for missing people or places.

一人での食事は寂しさを感じるが、都会の生活には孤独感がある。 (Eating alone feels lonely [sabishisa], but there is a sense of loneliness [kodokukan] in city life.)

Another related term is 孤立感 (koritsukan). This is the *feeling* of being isolated. While kodokukan is about feeling alone in the world, koritsukan is specifically the feeling of being cut off from a group or society. It’s often used in workplace contexts where someone feels they have no allies. Then there is 疎外感 (sogaikan), which means 'feeling of alienation' or 'feeling left out.' Use this when you are in a group but feel like you don't belong or are being ignored.

輪の中に入れず、強い疎外感を覚えた。 (I couldn't join the circle and felt a strong sense of alienation.)

For more poetic or literary contexts, you might encounter 寂寥感 (sekiryokan). This refers to a sense of desolation or loneliness, often associated with a landscape or a vast, empty space. It’s a very formal and beautiful word. On the more negative side, 虚無感 (kyomukan) means a 'sense of emptiness' or 'nihilism.' While not exactly loneliness, it often accompanies kodokukan when one feels that life has no meaning because they are alone.

Comparison of 'Sense' (感) Words
1. 孤独感: General sense of loneliness.
2. 孤立感: Feeling of being isolated/cut off.
3. 疎外感: Feeling of being alienated/left out.
4. 寂寥感: Poetic sense of desolation.
5. 虚無感: Sense of emptiness/futility.

冬の枯野に立つと、言いようのない寂寥感に包まれる。 (Standing in a withered winter field, one is enveloped in an indescribable sense of desolation.)

Choosing the right word depends on whether the loneliness is 'social' (koritsukan), 'interpersonal' (sogaikan), 'existential' (kodokukan), or 'emotional' (sabishisa). In most serious discussions about one's mental state or the state of society, kodokukan remains the most versatile and impactful choice. It captures the essence of the 'solitary heart' in a way that other words only partially touch upon.

彼は虚無感と孤独感の間で揺れ動いていた。 (He was wavering between a sense of emptiness and a sense of loneliness.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, the phrase 'ko-doku' (gu-du) was specifically used to describe orphans and childless elderly people, who were considered the most vulnerable members of society.

Pronunciation Guide

UK kɒdəʊkʊkæn
US koʊdoʊkukæn
None (Pitch accent: Heiban - flat)
Rhymes With
幸福感 (kōfukukan) 満足感 (manzokukan) 連帯感 (rentaikan) 違和感 (iwakan) 安心感 (anshinkan) 圧迫感 (appakukan) 躍動感 (yakudōkan) 存在感 (sonzaikan)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'kan' like 'can' (tin can). It should be a short 'kah-n'.
  • Elongating the 'o' sounds like 'kooo-dooo-ku'. Keep them short.
  • Adding a heavy English stress on 'ku'.
  • Mistaking the pitch accent for 'Atamadaka' (first syllable high).
  • Mumbling the 'u' in 'ku'; it should be whispered but present.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but require N3-N2 level knowledge. The 'kan' suffix is easy to recognize.

Writing 4/5

Writing 'kodoku' (孤独) can be tricky for beginners due to the strokes in 'doku'.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward as long as you maintain a flat pitch.

Listening 2/5

Easy to hear in news and serious dramas.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

寂しい (Sabishii) 一人 (Hitori) 感じる (Kanjiru) 気持ち (Kimochi) 心 (Kokoro)

Learn Next

孤立 (Koritsu) 疎外 (Sogai) 連帯 (Rentai) 虚無 (Kyomu) 克服 (Kokufuku)

Advanced

寂寥 (Sekiryo) 厭世 (Ensei) 自己肯定感 (Jiko kōteikan) 承認欲求 (Shōnin yokkyū) 帰属意識 (Kizoku ishiki)

Grammar to Know

Noun + を感じる (Kanjiru)

孤独感を感じる (To feel loneliness)

Noun + に襲われる (Osowareru)

孤独感に襲われる (To be attacked by loneliness)

Noun + を紛らわす (Magirawasu)

孤独感を紛らわす (To distract from loneliness)

Noun + を抱く (Idaku)

孤独感を抱く (To harbor loneliness)

Noun + による + Noun

SNSによる孤独感 (Loneliness caused by SNS)

Examples by Level

1

私は時々、孤独感を感じます。

I sometimes feel a sense of loneliness.

Uses the basic 'feeling' structure with 'kanjimasu'.

2

孤独感は悲しい気持ちです。

Loneliness is a sad feeling.

A simple A=B sentence structure.

3

友達がいないと、孤独感があります。

When there are no friends, there is a sense of loneliness.

Uses 'to' for 'when/if' and 'arimasu' for existence.

4

彼は孤独感が嫌いです。

He hates the sense of loneliness.

Uses the 'kirai' (dislike) pattern.

5

この本は、孤独感についてです。

This book is about the sense of loneliness.

Uses 'nitsuite' to mean 'about'.

6

強い孤独感がありますか?

Do you have a strong sense of loneliness?

Uses 'tsuyoi' as an adjective modifying the noun.

7

彼女は孤独感を知っています。

She knows the sense of loneliness.

Uses 'shitte imasu' for knowledge/experience.

8

夜になると、孤独感を感じます。

When it becomes night, I feel a sense of loneliness.

Uses 'ni naru' for 'become' and 'to' for 'when'.

1

一人で東京に住むのは、孤独感があります。

Living alone in Tokyo has a sense of loneliness.

Uses 'no wa' to nominalize the verb phrase.

2

音楽を聴いて、孤独感を忘れます。

I listen to music and forget the sense of loneliness.

Uses the 'te-form' for sequence of actions.

3

彼は新しい学校で孤独感を感じました。

He felt a sense of loneliness at his new school.

Past tense of 'kanjiru'.

4

孤独感をなくすために、犬を飼いました。

In order to get rid of the sense of loneliness, I bought a dog.

Uses 'tame ni' for purpose.

5

お年寄りは孤独感を感じやすいです。

Elderly people tend to feel a sense of loneliness easily.

Uses 'yasui' suffix for 'easy to'.

6

都会には、たくさんの孤独感があります。

In the city, there is a lot of sense of loneliness.

Uses 'takusan no' as a quantifier.

7

あなたの孤独感を教えてください。

Please tell me about your sense of loneliness.

Polite request with 'te kudasai'.

8

孤独感は、誰にでもあります。

A sense of loneliness exists in everyone.

Uses 'dare ni demo' for 'anyone/everyone'.

1

留学生活で、言葉が通じない孤独感を味わった。

In my study abroad life, I tasted the loneliness of not being understood.

Uses 'ajiwau' (to taste/experience) for a deeper nuance.

2

SNSの普及は、かえって人々の孤独感を深めている。

The spread of SNS is actually deepening people's sense of loneliness.

Uses 'kaette' to show an unexpected result.

3

彼は成功したが、心の中には常に孤独感があった。

He succeeded, but there was always a sense of loneliness in his heart.

Uses 'tsune ni' for 'always'.

4

孤独感を和らげるために、ボランティア活動を始めた。

To ease my sense of loneliness, I started volunteer activities.

Uses 'yawarageru' for 'to ease/soften'.

5

ふとした瞬間に、耐えがたい孤独感に襲われることがある。

At an unexpected moment, I am sometimes attacked by an unbearable loneliness.

Uses 'ni osowareru' (to be attacked by).

6

彼女は自分の孤独感を詩に書くことで解消している。

She resolves her sense of loneliness by writing it in poems.

Uses 'koto de' to show the means/method.

7

現代社会において、孤独感は深刻な問題となっている。

In modern society, the sense of loneliness has become a serious problem.

Uses 'ni oite' for 'in/at' a specific context.

8

孤独感を抱えながらも、彼は前向きに生きている。

While carrying a sense of loneliness, he is living positively.

Uses 'nagara mo' for 'even while'.

1

その映画は、都会に生きる若者の孤独感をリアルに描いている。

That movie realistically depicts the sense of loneliness of young people living in the city.

Uses 'riaru ni egaku' (realistically depict).

2

一人暮らしを始めてから、夜の静けさに強い孤独感を覚えるようになった。

Since I started living alone, I have come to experience a strong sense of loneliness in the silence of the night.

Uses 'oboeru' as a formal way to say 'feel'.

3

集団の中にいても、自分だけが浮いているような孤独感を感じることがある。

Even in a group, I sometimes feel a sense of loneliness as if I'm the only one out of place.

Uses 'uiteru' (floating/out of place) as a metaphor.

4

彼は誰にも理解されないという孤独感にさいなまれていた。

He was tormented by a sense of loneliness that no one understood him.

Uses 'sainamateru' (to be tormented/harassed).

5

孤独感を克服するためには、自己肯定感を高めることが重要だ。

In order to overcome the sense of loneliness, it is important to raise one's self-esteem.

Uses 'kokufuku suru' (to overcome).

6

SNSでの「いいね」の数は、必ずしも孤独感を埋めてはくれない。

The number of 'likes' on SNS does not necessarily fill the sense of loneliness.

Uses 'kanarazushimo... nai' (not necessarily).

7

彼女の歌声には、聴く人の孤独感に寄り添うような優しさがある。

In her singing voice, there is a kindness that seems to stay close to the listener's loneliness.

Uses 'yorisou' (to snuggle up/stay close to).

8

経済的な困窮は、しばしば社会的な孤独感を助長する。

Economic hardship often exacerbates social loneliness.

Uses 'jochō suru' (to promote/exacerbate).

1

夏目漱石の作品には、近代知識人が抱く特有の孤独感が色濃く反映されている。

In Natsume Soseki's works, the unique sense of loneliness held by modern intellectuals is deeply reflected.

Uses 'irokoku han'ei sareru' (be deeply reflected).

2

彼は沈黙の中に、宇宙的な広がりを持つ孤独感を見出した。

In the silence, he discovered a sense of loneliness with cosmic expansiveness.

Uses 'uchūteki' (cosmic) as a metaphorical adjective.

3

孤独感は、時として芸術的な創造性の源泉となり得る。

A sense of loneliness can sometimes become the source of artistic creativity.

Uses 'urubekiru' (can/is possible).

4

現代の都市空間は、皮肉にも人々に極限の孤独感を強いている。

Modern urban spaces, ironically, are forcing an extreme sense of loneliness upon people.

Uses 'shiite iru' (forcing/imposing).

5

自己と他者との境界線が曖昧になるにつれ、かえって孤独感は増幅される。

As the boundary between self and other becomes blurred, the sense of loneliness is actually amplified.

Uses 'ni tsure' (as... then...).

6

彼は死を目前にして、一切の虚飾を剥ぎ取られた純粋な孤独感に直面した。

Facing death, he confronted a pure sense of loneliness stripped of all pretension.

Uses 'hagitōrareta' (stripped away).

7

社会構造の変容が、伝統的な共同体を崩壊させ、個人の孤独感を加速させている。

Changes in social structure are collapsing traditional communities and accelerating individual loneliness.

Uses 'kasoku sasete iru' (is accelerating).

8

哲学的な思索の果てに、彼は孤独感こそが人間の本質であると結論づけた。

At the end of his philosophical contemplation, he concluded that loneliness itself is the essence of being human.

Uses 'koso' for strong emphasis.

1

ポストモダンの言説において、孤独感は主体の解体と密接に関連づけられている。

In postmodern discourse, the sense of loneliness is closely linked to the deconstruction of the subject.

Uses 'gensetsu' (discourse) and 'kaitai' (deconstruction).

2

デジタル・ネイティブ世代が抱く孤独感の質的変容について、詳細な分析が求められる。

A detailed analysis is required regarding the qualitative transformation of the sense of loneliness held by the digital native generation.

Uses 'shitsuteki hen'yō' (qualitative transformation).

3

実存主義的視点に立てば、孤独感からの逃避は自己欺瞞に他ならない。

From an existentialist perspective, escaping from loneliness is nothing other than self-deception.

Uses 'ni hoka naranai' (is nothing but).

4

高度資本主義社会が生み出す疎外感は、しばしば内面化された孤独感へと昇華される。

The alienation produced by advanced capitalist society is often sublimated into internalized loneliness.

Uses 'shōka sareru' (to be sublimated).

5

宗教的救済が失効した現代において、孤独感は救いようのない絶望へと直結しかねない。

In the modern era where religious salvation has expired, loneliness could directly lead to irredeemable despair.

Uses 'shikkō' (expiration) and 'kane-nai' (might/could).

6

文学的表現における「沈黙」は、しばしば言語化し得ない深淵な孤独感を分節化する試みである。

Silence in literary expression is often an attempt to articulate a profound sense of loneliness that cannot be verbalized.

Uses 'bunsetsuka' (articulation/segmentation).

7

共同体の紐帯が希薄化する中で、孤独感はもはや個人的な情動ではなく、構造的な社会病理と言える。

As community ties weaken, loneliness can no longer be called a personal emotion, but rather a structural social pathology.

Uses 'kyūhaku-ka' (thinning/weakening) and 'byōri' (pathology).

8

メタバース空間における擬似的な交流は、根源的な孤独感を解消するどころか、かえってその輪郭を鮮明にする。

Pseudo-interactions in the metaverse, far from resolving fundamental loneliness, actually sharpen its contours.

Uses 'dokoro ka' (far from/on the contrary).

Common Collocations

孤独感を感じる
孤独感を抱く
孤独感に襲われる
孤独感を紛らわす
孤独感を和らげる
深刻な孤独感
強い孤独感
孤独感を味わう
孤独感を共有する
孤独感を覚える

Common Phrases

孤独感との戦い

— The struggle with loneliness. Often used in stories about isolated people.

一人暮らしは、孤独感との戦いでもある。

孤独感を埋める

— To fill the void of loneliness. Used when talking about hobbies or relationships.

買い物で孤独感を埋めようとする。

孤独感に苛まれる

— To be tormented by loneliness. A very strong and literary expression.

彼は絶え間ない孤独感に苛まれていた。

孤独感から抜け出す

— To escape or get out of a state of loneliness.

新しい趣味を見つけて、孤独感から抜け出した。

社会的な孤独感

— Social loneliness. Loneliness caused by lack of community ties.

高齢者の社会的な孤独感が問題だ。

孤独感を力に変える

— To turn loneliness into strength. A common self-help phrase.

孤独感を力に変えて、作品を作る。

孤独感を癒やす

— To heal the sense of loneliness.

ペットが私の孤独感を癒やしてくれる。

孤独感に耐える

— To endure or bear the sense of loneliness.

彼は静かに孤独感に耐えていた。

孤独感を助長する

— To exacerbate or encourage a sense of loneliness.

不適切な発言が、彼女の孤独感を助長した。

底知れぬ孤独感

— A bottomless or infinite sense of loneliness.

底知れぬ孤独感に足がすくむ。

Often Confused With

孤独感 vs 寂しさ (Sabishisa)

Sabishisa is more emotional and situational; Kodokukan is more abstract and psychological.

孤独感 vs 孤立 (Koritsu)

Koritsu is the objective state of being isolated; Kodokukan is the subjective feeling.

孤独感 vs 疎外 (Sogai)

Sogai is specifically about being left out or alienated from a group.

Idioms & Expressions

"孤独感に浸る"

— To immerse oneself in loneliness. Sometimes implies a bit of self-indulgence.

雨の日は一人で孤独感に浸るのが好きだ。

Neutral
"孤独感を噛み締める"

— To reflect deeply on or 'chew over' one's loneliness.

彼は自分の選択の結果としての孤独感を噛み締めた。

Literary
"孤独感の影"

— The shadow of loneliness. Refers to the lingering presence of loneliness.

彼の笑顔の裏には、孤独感の影があった。

Literary
"孤独感に火をつける"

— To ignite a sense of loneliness. Used when something triggers the feeling.

その古い写真は、私の孤独感に火をつけた。

Metaphorical
"孤独感を抱いて死ぬ"

— To die carrying a sense of loneliness. Often used regarding 'kodokushi'.

誰にも看取られず、孤独感を抱いて死ぬのは寂しい。

Serious
"孤独感に蓋をする"

— To put a lid on (suppress) one's sense of loneliness.

忙しくすることで、孤独感に蓋をしていた。

Metaphorical
"孤独感が服を着て歩いている"

— Loneliness walking in clothes. Used to describe someone who embodies loneliness.

あの頃の彼は、孤独感が服を着て歩いているようだった。

Slang/Metaphorical
"孤独感に突き動かされる"

— To be driven or spurred on by a sense of loneliness.

彼は孤独感に突き動かされて、旅に出た。

Neutral
"孤独感の深淵"

— The abyss of loneliness. Refers to extreme, dark loneliness.

彼は孤独感の深淵に落ちていった。

Literary
"孤独感をお裾分けする"

— To share a bit of one's loneliness (ironic usage of 'osuso-wake' - sharing a gift).

君に僕の孤独感をお裾分けしようか。

Informal/Ironic

Easily Confused

孤独感 vs 孤独 (Kodoku)

They look almost the same.

Kodoku is the state of being alone (can be good or bad). Kodokukan is strictly the *feeling* of being lonely (usually bad).

彼は孤独を楽しんでいる (He enjoys solitude) vs 彼は孤独感に悩んでいる (He is troubled by a sense of loneliness).

孤独感 vs 孤高 (Kokō)

Both start with 'Ko' (alone).

Kokō is a positive, proud loneliness, like a lone wolf or a mountain peak. Kodokukan is a painful feeling.

彼は孤高の芸術家だ (He is a proudly solitary artist).

孤独感 vs 虚無 (Kyomu)

Both involve a feeling of 'nothingness'.

Kyomu is about the meaninglessness of life. Kodokukan is about the lack of human connection.

人生に虚無感を感じる (I feel a sense of futility in life).

孤独感 vs 寂寥 (Sekiryo)

Both mean loneliness.

Sekiryo is very formal and literary, often used for desolate landscapes. Kodokukan is used for people.

秋の夕暮れに寂寥感を感じる (I feel a sense of desolation in the autumn evening).

孤独感 vs 心細い (Kokorobosoi)

Both involve feeling alone.

Kokorobosoi means feeling helpless or anxious because you are alone. Kodokukan is just the feeling of being lonely.

一人で夜道を歩くのは心細い (Walking alone at night feels helpless/anxious).

Sentence Patterns

A2

[Place] にいると、[Noun] を感じます。

都会にいると、孤独感を感じます。

B1

[Verb-Dictionary] ことで、[Noun] を紛らわす。

本を読んでいることで、孤独感を紛らわす。

B1

[Noun] は [Person] にとって深刻な問題だ。

孤独感は高齢者にとって深刻な問題だ。

B2

ふとした瞬間に [Noun] に襲われる。

ふとした瞬間に孤独感に襲われる。

B2

[Noun] を抱えながら、[Verb]。

孤独感を抱えながら、都会で働いている。

C1

[Noun] が [Noun] を助長している。

社会のデジタル化が孤独感を助長している。

C1

[Noun] は [Noun] の源泉となり得る。

孤独感は芸術作品の源泉となり得る。

C2

[Noun] の質的変容が [Noun] をもたらす。

孤独感の質的変容が社会不安をもたらす。

Word Family

Nouns

孤独 (Kodoku) - Solitude/Loneliness
孤独死 (Kodokushi) - Lonely death
孤独感 (Kodokukan) - Sense of loneliness

Verbs

孤独になる (Kodoku ni naru) - To become lonely
孤独を愛する (Kodoku o aisuru) - To love solitude

Adjectives

孤独な (Kodoku na) - Lonely/Solitary
孤独だ (Kodoku da) - Is lonely

Related

孤立 (Koritsu) - Isolation
疎外 (Sogai) - Alienation
寂しい (Sabishii) - Lonely (adj)
独り (Hitori) - Alone
孤高 (Kokō) - Aloof/Proudly solitary

How to Use It

frequency

High in news, literature, and mental health contexts.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'kodokukan' for minor things. Use 'sabishii' for minor things.

    'Kodokukan' is for deep, persistent feelings. Using it for 'I'm bored for 5 minutes' sounds melodramatic.

  • Saying 'kodokukan na hito'. Say 'kodoku na hito'.

    'Kodokukan' is a noun, not an adjective. You cannot use 'na' directly with it.

  • Saying 'kodokukan suru'. Say 'kodokukan o kanjiru'.

    You don't 'do' a sense of loneliness; you 'feel' it.

  • Confusing 'kodokukan' with 'koritsu'. Use 'koritsu' for the physical state of being alone.

    'Koritsu' is isolation (the fact). 'Kodokukan' is the feeling (the emotion).

  • Misspelling the kanji 孤独. Ensure the 'beast' radical is correct.

    Many learners forget the specific structure of the 'doku' kanji.

Tips

Verb Pairing

Always remember that 'kodokukan' is a noun. You cannot say 'kodokukan suru'. Use 'kodokukan o kanjiru'.

The 'Kan' Suffix

Whenever you see 'kan' (感) at the end of a word, it means 'the sense of' or 'the feeling of'. This helps you guess the meaning of many other words like 'iwakan' (feeling that something is wrong).

Societal Weight

In Japan, 'kodokukan' is often discussed in the context of the 'lonely society'. It's a heavy word, so use it with care.

Pitch Accent

The word is 'Heiban' (flat). Keep your voice at the same level for all four syllables: ko-do-ku-kan.

Kanji Practice

Practice writing the kanji for 'doku' (独). It has the 'beast' radical on the left, which originally referred to a wild animal that lives alone.

Kodokukan vs Sabishisa

Think of 'sabishisa' as a sharp, temporary pain, and 'kodokukan' as a dull, constant ache.

Urban Alienation

Use 'kodokukan' when talking about the feeling of being alone in a crowd of people, which is a very common Japanese experience.

News Keywords

If you hear 'kodokukan' on the news, pay attention to the words around it like 'taisaku' (measures) or 'shien' (support).

Literature

Many Japanese novels start with a character experiencing 'kodokukan'. It sets a serious, introspective tone for the story.

Harboring Loneliness

The verb 'idaku' (to harbor) is very elegant when used with 'kodokukan'. It suggests the feeling is deep inside you.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **KO**ala (**ko**) and a **DOKU** (dog-u) (**doku**) feeling a **KAN** (sense/can) of loneliness because they have no one to play with.

Visual Association

A single, glowing 'can' (感) sitting in the middle of a dark, empty room (孤独). The can contains all your feelings of being alone.

Word Web

Heart Alone Sense City Night Silent Bridge Crowd

Challenge

Try to use 'kodokukan' in a sentence describing how you felt during the first week of a new job or school. Ensure you use the verb 'kanjiru'.

Word Origin

The word is composed of three kanji characters: 孤 (ko), 独 (doku), and 感 (kan). 'Ko' originally referred to an orphan or a child without a father. 'Doku' meant single or alone, often used for animals that hunt alone. Together, 'Kodoku' has been used in Japanese for centuries to describe the state of being without family or support. The suffix 'kan' was added later, particularly during the modernization of Japanese in the Meiji era, to create psychological terms equivalent to Western concepts of 'feelings' or 'senses.'

Original meaning: A feeling of being an orphan or a single, unsupported person.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word about others; it can sound like you are pitying them or diagnosing them with a mental struggle.

In English, we often use 'loneliness' for both the state and the feeling. In Japanese, 'kodokukan' is more specific and psychological.

Natsume Soseki's novel 'Kokoro' explores profound kodokukan. Haruki Murakami's protagonists are often defined by their kodokukan. The movie 'Lost in Translation' captures the kodokukan of being in Tokyo.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Mental Health Discussion

  • 孤独感を相談する
  • 心の孤独感
  • 孤独感のセルフケア
  • カウンセリングで孤独感を話す

Urban Life

  • 都会の孤独感
  • 人混みの中の孤独感
  • マンションでの孤独感
  • 都会生活と孤独感

Literature/Art

  • 孤独感を描く
  • 作品に漂う孤独感
  • 孤独感を表現する
  • 芸術家の孤独感

Social Media

  • SNSによる孤独感
  • 画面越しの孤独感
  • 「いいね」と孤独感
  • デジタル時代の孤独感

Elderly Care

  • 高齢者の孤独感
  • 独居老人の孤独感
  • 孤独感を防ぐ見守り
  • 地域社会と孤独感

Conversation Starters

"一人暮らしをしていると、孤独感を感じることはありますか? (Do you ever feel a sense of loneliness living alone?)"

"都会の生活は便利ですが、孤独感を感じやすいと思いませんか? (City life is convenient, but don't you think it's easy to feel lonely?)"

"最近、SNSのせいで孤独感が増えているというニュースを見ました。 (I saw news recently that loneliness is increasing because of SNS.)"

"孤独感を感じたとき、あなたはどうやって対処していますか? (When you feel lonely, how do you deal with it?)"

"映画や音楽で、孤独感に共感することはありますか? (Do you ever empathize with loneliness in movies or music?)"

Journal Prompts

最近、どのような瞬間に孤独感を感じましたか?その原因は何だと思いますか? (At what moments recently did you feel loneliness? what do you think was the cause?)

孤独感と「一人でいることの楽しさ」の違いについて、あなたの考えを書いてください。 (Write your thoughts on the difference between loneliness and the joy of being alone.)

もし友人が強い孤独感に悩んでいたら、あなたは何と言ってあげますか? (If a friend was struggling with strong loneliness, what would you say to them?)

あなたの好きな映画や本の中で、孤独感がどのように表現されているか説明してください。 (Explain how loneliness is expressed in your favorite movie or book.)

将来、孤独感のない社会を作るためには何が必要だと思いますか? (What do you think is necessary to create a society without loneliness in the future?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. While 'kodoku' (solitude) can be positive, adding 'kan' makes it about the *sense* of loneliness, which is almost always perceived as a negative or painful emotional state in Japanese.

It might sound a bit too heavy or dramatic. If you just want to say you miss them, use 'sabishii.' Use 'kodokukan' if you are having a very serious discussion about your mental health.

'Kodokukan' is a general sense of being alone in the world. 'Koritsukan' is the specific feeling that you have been cut off or isolated from your social circle or group.

You can say 'kodokukan o kokufuku suru' (孤独感を克服する) or 'kodokukan o norikoeru' (孤独感を乗り越える).

It is rarely used for children. For kids, 'hitoribocchi' or 'sabishii' are much more common. 'Kodokukan' is an adult, psychological term.

The most common are kanjiru (feel), oboeru (experience), idaku (harbor), osowareru (be attacked by), and magirawasu (distract from).

No, you would use 'sekiryokan' (desolation) or just say the place is 'hitorashisa ga nai' (lacks human presence). 'Kodokukan' is for human internal states.

It usually appears in N2 or N1 materials, but because it is so common in the news, B1 (N3) learners should definitely know it.

To address the high rates of 'kodokukan' which lead to social withdrawal (hikikomori) and suicide. It is treated as a serious public health issue.

No, 'solitude' is usually translated as 'kodoku' (when positive) or 'hitori no jikan' (alone time). 'Kodokukan' is specifically the *feeling* of being lonely.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a sentence using 'kodokukan' and 'kanjiru'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'I harbor a strong sense of loneliness.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence about SNS and loneliness.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Use 'ni osowareru' with 'kodokukan'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Describe an elderly person's loneliness.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence about overcoming loneliness.

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writing

Translate: 'Urban life has a bottomless sense of loneliness.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Use 'oboeru' with 'kodokukan' in a formal sentence.

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writing

Write a sentence about 'kodokukan' in literature.

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writing

Translate: 'Loneliness is a social pathology.'

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writing

Use 'magirawasu' with 'kodokukan'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence about how to heal loneliness.

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writing

Translate: 'Empathize with someone's loneliness.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Use 'ajiwau' with 'kodokukan'.

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writing

Describe loneliness in a crowd.

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writing

Write a sentence about 'kodokukan' and pets.

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writing

Translate: 'The shadow of loneliness.'

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writing

Use 'yawarageru' with 'kodokukan'.

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writing

Write a formal sentence about social isolation.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'Loneliness is the essence of humans.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Pronounce '孤独感' and explain its meaning in English.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I feel a strong sense of loneliness' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Explain the difference between 'kodokukan' and 'sabishisa'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Talk about a time you felt 'kodokukan'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Use 'ni osowareru' in a spoken sentence.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Discuss if SNS increases or decreases 'kodokukan'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Describe a 'lonely city' using 'kodokukan'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Tell a friend how to ease their 'kodokukan'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Explain 'kodokushi' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Recite a sentence from a Haruki Murakami book about loneliness.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Ask someone if they feel 'kodokukan' in their new job.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Loneliness can be a source of art.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Explain why 'kodoku' can be positive but 'kodokukan' is usually negative.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Describe the 'Minister of Loneliness' role.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I want to overcome my loneliness.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Use 'oboeru' in a formal spoken sentence.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Discuss the '8050 problem'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Explain the kanji components of 'kodokukan'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Loneliness is a bottomless abyss.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Summarize why 'kodokukan' is a social problem in Japan.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and identify the word: '都会の( )は深刻だ。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen for the verb: '孤独感に( )。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the adjective: '( )孤独感を抱く。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and translate: '孤独感を紛らわすために本を読んだ。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the topic: '大臣は( )対策について話した。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen for the suffix: '孤独( )を感じる。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Translate the phrase: '孤独感を克服する。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the setting: '都会の雑踏の中での( )。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and determine if the tone is positive or negative.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the person: '( )は孤独感を感じやすい。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen for the verb 'ajiwau'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Translate: '孤独感が募る。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the cause: 'SNSによる( )。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen for the synonym 'sogaikan'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the literary word 'sekiryokan'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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