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).
I'm infatuated with him.
That's just infatuation.
Love at first sight; a sudden infatuation upon first meeting someone.
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.
I've completely fallen for you.
Romantic feelings; a more formal term that can encompass infatuation.
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.
He's infatuated with her.
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.
He's infatuated with the new game.
I'm infatuated with her.
Being very enthusiastic or absorbed in something, often a hobby or activity. Less romantic than 夢中.
Slang for being hooked or obsessed with something. Very common in casual speech.
To indulge in, to be absorbed in (often used for pleasures or vices). Can imply an unhealthy obsession.
Emphasizing the temporary, shallow nature of infatuation
A momentary lapse of reason; a fleeting infatuation. Often used to dismiss a crush as not serious.
That infatuation was just a passing fancy.
A frivolous or shallow love affair; infatuation that lacks depth.
It's nothing more than a shallow infatuation.
A fickle heart; tendency to be infatuated easily or to have affairs.
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.
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.
彼は車に熱中している。
He's infatuated with cars.
Lately I've been infatuated with Korean dramas.
彼は酒に耽っている。
He's infatuated with alcohol.
His infatuation quickly cooled off.