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 実 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