Translation guide
The English word "faint" has two main meanings: losing consciousness and something being weak or dim. This guide covers how to express these naturally in Japanese.
To suddenly become unconscious, often due to shock, illness, or exhaustion.
The most common and general verb for fainting or losing consciousness. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
He fainted from the heat.
I almost fainted at the sight of blood.
A more formal or medical term for fainting, often used in written or clinical contexts.
The patient fainted during the examination.
Literally 'to lose consciousness'. A clear and neutral way to describe fainting, suitable for most situations.
She suddenly lost consciousness.
A somewhat literary or old-fashioned term for fainting or collapsing. Not commonly used in everyday speech.
I nearly fainted from the shock.
Describing something that is not strong, clear, or bright, such as light, sound, smell, or a feeling.
An adjective meaning faint, dim, or barely perceptible. Used for light, sound, smell, hope, etc.
I saw a faint light.
I heard a faint sound.
A general adjective meaning 'weak'. Can be used for faint signals, pulses, or colors, but is less specific than かすかな.
Describes something faint but pleasant, like a subtle fragrance or a dim, gentle light. Often has a poetic nuance.
A faint fragrance is wafting through the air.
The kanji version of かすかな. Same meaning but more formal/written. In speech, hiragana is more common.
To have a faint hope.
To feel lightheaded, weak, or about to lose consciousness.
The most common way to say 'feel dizzy/faint'. Used for vertigo or lightheadedness.
I felt faint when I stood up.
Specifically refers to dizziness or faintness upon standing up (orthostatic hypotension).
I get faint if I stand up suddenly.
Literally 'to have an anemia attack'. Used when faintness is due to anemia. More medical.
She became faint from anemia and collapsed.
In English, 'faint' can be a verb (to lose consciousness) or an adjective (dim/weak). In Japanese, these are completely different words. Use 気絶する for losing consciousness and かすかな for dim/weak. Do not try to use one word for both.
気絶する is the most common and can be used in daily conversation. 失神する is more formal and often used in medical or written contexts. 意識を失う is a neutral, descriptive phrase meaning 'lose consciousness' and is safe for any situation.
She fainted at the news.
There was a faint smile on her face.
The pulse is faint.