Translation guide
The English word 'emotional' covers a range of meanings from 'relating to emotions' to 'easily affected by emotions' to 'arousing strong feelings'. Japanese expresses these with different words and phrases depending on the nuance.
Describing something that is about emotions, not physical or logical.
The most direct equivalent for 'emotional' in the sense of 'pertaining to emotions'. Used for emotional problems, emotional development, etc.
感情的な問題を抱えている。
I have emotional problems.
Often used for emotional development or emotional aspects of something, with a nuance of sentiment or feeling. Common in psychology and child development.
情緒的な発達が遅れている。
His emotional development is delayed.
Literally 'of the heart/mind'. Used for emotional support, emotional scars, etc. Softer and more personal than 感情的な.
心の支えが必要だ。
I need emotional support.
Describing a person who gets emotional easily, or a situation where someone is visibly upset or moved.
A common phrase meaning 'to get emotional'. Used when someone becomes upset, angry, or tearful.
彼はすぐ感情的になる。
He gets emotional easily.
話しているうちに感情的になってしまった。
I got emotional while talking.
Means 'easily moved to tears', 'sentimental'. Describes a person who cries easily at movies, stories, etc.
Means 'sentimental', often with a nuance of being overly emotional or maudlin. More literary.
感傷的な気分になる。
I feel emotional/sentimental.
Describing something like a speech, movie, or event that makes people feel strong emotions.
Means 'moving', 'touching'. Used for things that evoke deep emotion, like a moving speech or film.
感動的なスピーチだった。
It was an emotional speech.
Literally 'appeal to emotions'. Used for emotional appeals, emotional manipulation, etc.
感情に訴える広告。
An emotional advertisement.
Loanword from English. Used in casual or trendy contexts, often for music or art that is emotionally charged.
エモーショナルな曲だね。
It's an emotional song, isn't it?
Describing a decision, reaction, or argument that is based on feelings, not logic.
Same word as above, but used for decisions, reactions, etc. that are driven by emotion.
感情的な判断は避けるべきだ。
You should avoid emotional decisions.
Means 'emotional argument' or 'appeal to emotion'. Used when someone argues based on feelings rather than facts.
それは感情論だ。
That's an emotional argument.
彼女は涙もろいから、映画を見るといつも泣く。
She's emotional, so she always cries when watching movies.