Translation guide
Expressing a hunch, intuition, or premonition in Japanese. The most common and natural way is to use 気がする (ki ga suru), which covers a wide range of 'having a feeling' situations.
Expressing a vague sense or feeling that something is the case, without concrete evidence.
The most common and versatile way to say 'I have a feeling that...'. It attaches to a clause ending in a plain form (verb, adjective, or noun + だ). It expresses a subjective, intuitive sense.
I have a feeling it will rain today.
I have a feeling he won't come.
I have a feeling I'm forgetting something.
Literally 'I have that kind of feeling.' Used when agreeing with a suggestion or confirming a vague sense already mentioned. Very natural in conversation.
A: He might be off today. B: Yeah, I have a feeling that's the case.
Specifically a premonition or foreboding, often about the future. Stronger than 気がする, implying a more definite sense of what will happen.
Expressing a desire or inclination to do something, often tentatively.
Combines the desire form 〜たい with 気がする to mean 'I feel like doing...'. It softens the statement, making it less direct than just saying 〜たい.
I feel like eating out today.
I feel like taking a little walk.
Means 'I'm in the mood for...' or 'I feel like...'. More direct than 〜たい気がする, and often used for immediate desires.
I feel like having curry today.
Describing a bodily feeling or a sense that something is physically present or happening.
Used for physical sensations or impressions perceived through the senses. Similar to 気がする but more concrete and sensory.
I have a feeling that someone is watching me.
My hands feel cold. (I have a feeling of coldness in my hands.)
Specifically means sensing a presence or sign of something/someone. More literary or dramatic than 感じがする.
I sense someone's presence. / I have a feeling someone is there.
Expressing romantic interest or a special feeling toward a person.
Means 'to be on one's mind' or 'to be curious about someone', often implying romantic interest. It's a softer, more indirect way to say you have feelings for someone.
Lately, I've been having feelings for that person. / That person has been on my mind.
Literally 'to come to like'. Used when you realize you are developing feelings for someone.
I think I'm starting to have feelings for him.
気がする (ki ga suru) is for intuitive, mental hunches ('I have a feeling that...'). 感じがする (kanji ga suru) is for sensory, physical impressions ('I feel a sensation of...'). Use 気がする for thoughts and premonitions, and 感じがする for things you perceive through your senses.
I have a feeling he's lying. (intuition)
The room feels cold. (physical sensation)
Do not translate 'have a feeling' word-for-word as 感じを持っている (kanji o motte iru). It is unnatural. Use the set phrases 気がする, 感じがする, etc.