Translation guide
This guide covers how to express losing interest in something or someone in Japanese, from casual to formal, and from temporary boredom to complete loss of passion.
Expressing that you are no longer interested in something you used to enjoy or care about.
A direct and neutral way to say 'lose interest'. Suitable for both spoken and written Japanese.
I've lost interest in games lately.
Means 'to get tired of' or 'to be bored with'. Very common in casual conversation. Often used with に.
I'm bored with this game.
Literally 'interest fades'. Slightly more formal and often used in written contexts.
My interest in that topic has been fading.
Means 'to cool down', used metaphorically for passion or interest. Often used for relationships or hobbies.
My feelings for her have cooled.
Specifically for when romantic feelings fade.
When you become bored or disengaged with a specific thing.
When interest fades over time rather than suddenly.
Uses だんだん (gradually) with 薄れる (to fade). Natural for describing a slow loss of interest.
I've gradually lost interest in that hobby.
飽きる implies boredom or weariness, often from repetition. 興味を失う is more neutral and can be used even without a negative experience. For example, you can 興味を失う in a topic simply because your priorities changed, but 飽きる suggests you are tired of it.
While you can say 彼に興味を失った (I lost interest in him), it sounds clinical. For romantic feelings, 気持ちが冷める or 冷める is much more natural.
We've been together for years, but the love has faded.