Translation guide
The English word "comfort" covers both physical ease and emotional consolation. In Japanese, these are expressed with different words and patterns. This guide helps you choose the right expression depending on whether you mean physical comfort, emotional comfort, or the act of comforting someone.
Describing a state of physical ease, coziness, or relief from pain/discomfort.
The most common word for physical comfort, often used for environments, furniture, clothing, etc. Implies a pleasant, agreeable state.
This sofa is very comfortable.
Please maintain a comfortable room temperature.
Describes a pleasant, comfortable feeling, often more sensory or emotional than 快適. Used for textures, breezes, atmospheres.
This futon has a comfortable feel to it.
Means 'easy' or 'comfortable' in the sense of being free from effort or pain. Often used for physical postures or situations requiring no strain.
Please sit in a more comfortable position.
Literally 'the feeling of being in a place is good.' Used for spaces or atmospheres where one feels comfortable and at home.
This café is comfortable (cozy, pleasant to be in).
Providing or receiving emotional support, reassurance, or relief from distress.
The most direct noun for 'comfort' in the emotional sense. Often used with verbs like 与える (give) or 求める (seek).
Her words were a great comfort to me.
The verb 'to comfort (someone).' Used when consoling a person who is sad or distressed.
Literally 'support for the heart.' Refers to something or someone that provides emotional comfort and strength.
My family's presence is a comfort to me.
Refers to healing or soothing comfort, often used for things that relieve stress or emotional fatigue (e.g., nature, pets, music).
Describing a person feeling comfortable, at ease, or relaxed.
The most common way to say something feels good/comfortable physically. Can be used for sensations, weather, etc.
This massage chair feels comfortable.
To spend time comfortably. Often used when talking about staying in a place with good amenities.
I was able to spend my time comfortably at the hotel.
Food that provides nostalgic or emotional comfort.
Being in a situation so comfortable that one becomes lazy or stops making effort.
A literary expression meaning to indulge in comfort and ease, often with a negative connotation of complacency.
You cannot grow if you just indulge in comfort.
快適 only refers to physical comfort. Using it for emotional consolation (e.g., comforting a sad friend) would be incorrect. Use 慰め or 慰める instead.
慰め is active consolation for sadness or grief. 癒し is more about healing and soothing from stress or fatigue, often from non-human sources like nature or art.
I listened to my friend to comfort them.
This music brings comfort to my soul.
Okonomiyaki is Osaka's comfort food.