Translation guide
The feeling of being intensely but often briefly in love or obsessed with someone. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with words like 恋 (koi), 惚れる (horeru), or 夢中 (muchuu), depending on the nuance.
Expressing a strong, often short-lived romantic attraction or crush
Refers to romantic love, often with a sense of longing or passion. It can imply a crush or infatuation, especially when contrasted with 愛 (ai, deep love).
Being obsessed or crazy about a hobby, interest, or person (non-romantic or ambiguous)
Being absorbed or obsessed with something or someone. Can be used for hobbies, celebrities, or romantic interests.
Emphasizing the temporary, shallow nature of infatuation
A momentary lapse of reason; a fleeting infatuation. Often used to dismiss a crush as not serious.
あの恋は一時の気の迷いだった。
That infatuation was just a passing fancy.
恋 (koi) often implies a passionate, sometimes selfish longing, while 愛 (ai) is a deeper, more enduring love. Infatuation is closer to 恋. Saying 愛している (aishiteiru) too early can sound overly serious.
恋は盲目。
Love is blind. (infatuation blinds you)
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'infatuation' in all contexts. Using a dictionary translation like 夢中 (muchuu) for romantic infatuation can sound odd if the object is a person. Choose based on the nuance: 恋 for romantic, 夢中 for obsession.
彼に恋をしている。
I'm infatuated with him.
それはただの恋だよ。
That's just infatuation.
Love at first sight; a sudden infatuation upon first meeting someone.
彼女に一目惚れした。
I fell for her at first sight.
To fall for someone, to be charmed or infatuated. Often used in the passive form 惚れられる or past tense 惚れた.
すっかり惚れちゃった。
I've completely fallen for you.
Romantic feelings; a more formal term that can encompass infatuation.
それは恋愛感情というより、ただの憧れだ。
That's more admiration than infatuation.
To be infatuated, to lose one's head over someone. Literally means 'to feel dizzy' or 'to be feverish', implying a loss of reason.
彼は彼女にのぼせ上がっている。
He's infatuated with her.
彼は新しいゲームに夢中だ。
He's infatuated with the new game.
彼女に夢中なんだ。
I'm infatuated with her.
Being very enthusiastic or absorbed in something, often a hobby or activity. Less romantic than 夢中.
彼は車に熱中している。
He's infatuated with cars.
Slang for being hooked or obsessed with something. Very common in casual speech.
最近、韓国ドラマにハマってる。
Lately I've been infatuated with Korean dramas.
To indulge in, to be absorbed in (often used for pleasures or vices). Can imply an unhealthy obsession.
彼は酒に耽っている。
He's infatuated with alcohol.
A frivolous or shallow love affair; infatuation that lacks depth.
それは浮ついた恋に過ぎない。
It's nothing more than a shallow infatuation.
A fickle heart; tendency to be infatuated easily or to have affairs.
彼の浮気心はすぐに冷めた。
His infatuation quickly cooled off.