Meaning

Primary

Realization

Alternatives

Real Feeling, Fully Realizing

Word Type

noun, verbal noun

Explanation

A reality feeling is what you get when something feels real. The realization sets in — whatever this thing is, you've got a real feeling that it's actually happening.

実感 means a realization that comes from lived experience. For example, when you're expecting a baby, you may understand that you're becoming a parent, but not truly have that realization until the baby is born or you hold them in your arms. It's the sense of something feeling real beyond theory or explanation — when it truly sinks in.

Reading

じっかん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own. The reading for gets changed to じっ so be careful!

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 実感が持てる

    can have a real sense of something

    実感がある

    something feels real

    実感がわく

    the realization sinks in

Context Sentences

ようやく親になる実感が持てるようになってきました。

I'm starting to feel like a real parent at last.

母が死んだという知らせを聞いても、すぐには実感できなかった。

Even when I heard the news that my mother died, it didn't feel real at first.

アメリカへ行って初めて、日本はなんと小さい国かと実感した。

Only after I went to America did I realize how small Japan really is.

Kanji Composition