Translation guide
The desire to know or learn something. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases that convey inquisitiveness, interest, or nosiness.
Expressing a strong desire to learn or know about something, often in a positive sense.
The most common and neutral word for 'curiosity' as a trait or feeling. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼は好奇心が強い。
He has a strong curiosity.
好奇心からその本を読んだ。
I read the book out of curiosity.
Literally 'to have interest'. Often used when curiosity is directed at a specific topic. More casual than 好奇心.
その話に興味があります。
I'm curious about that story.
The plain desire 'to want to know'. Direct and common in casual speech.
なぜか知りたい。
I'm curious to know why.
A deep, often academic or philosophical desire to understand. Emphasizes a thirst for knowledge.
Specifically 'intellectual curiosity'. Used in educational or professional contexts.
知的好奇心を満たすために勉強している。
I'm studying to satisfy my intellectual curiosity.
A spirit of inquiry or research. Slightly more formal and often used in writing.
An excessive or unwelcome interest in others' affairs. Often negative.
Prying, snooping. Often used in the phrase 詮索好き (せんさくずき) for a nosy person.
彼は人の過去を詮索する。
He pries into people's pasts.
Curiosity that leads to action, exploration, or discovery.
Driven by curiosity. A common literary or narrative phrase.
好奇心に駆られて、彼は洞窟に入った。
Driven by curiosity, he entered the cave.
Curiosity wins out (over fear, caution, etc.).
怖かったが、好奇心が勝った。
I was scared, but curiosity got the better of me.
A light, passing interest or casual wondering.
To be on one's mind; to be curious about something in a casual way. Very common in daily conversation.
あの店が気になる。
I'm curious about that shop.
I'd like to know a little. Softens the curiosity.
結果がちょっと知りたい。
I'm a little curious about the result.
While 好奇心 is the standard translation, English often uses 'curiosity' in contexts where Japanese would use a verb phrase like 知りたがる (to want to know) or 興味を持つ (to take an interest). For example, 'His curiosity got the better of him' is more naturally 好奇心に負けた rather than a literal translation.
好奇心 is a deeper, more intrinsic desire to know, while 興味 is interest in a specific subject. You can have 興味 in a hobby, but 好奇心 drives you to explore the unknown.
彼の探究心は科学の発展に貢献した。
His spirit of inquiry contributed to the advancement of science.
A rubbernecking mentality; morbid curiosity about accidents or scandals. Colloquial and somewhat negative.
野次馬根性で事故現場に集まった。
They gathered at the accident scene out of morbid curiosity.