Translation guide
The English word 'obsession' covers a range of meanings from a strong, persistent interest to a pathological fixation. In Japanese, different words and expressions are used depending on whether the focus is a hobby, a person, a thought, or a clinical condition. This guide helps learners choose the most natural Japanese equivalent for each nuance.
Expressing that someone is very into a hobby, topic, or activity, often in a positive or neutral way.
The most common and natural way to say someone is obsessed with or crazy about something. It implies being so absorbed that you lose track of other things. Can be used for hobbies, people, games, etc.
彼は最近、ゲームに夢中だ。
He's been obsessed with video games lately.
私はあのドラマに夢中になっている。
I'm obsessed with that drama.
Very common casual expression meaning 'to be hooked on' or 'addicted to' something enjoyable. Slightly more colloquial than 夢中.
最近、韓国ドラマにハマってるんだ。
Lately I've been obsessed with Korean dramas.
Means 'enthusiasm' or 'being absorbed in something'. Often used in the pattern 〜に熱中する. Slightly more formal than 夢中.
彼は仕事に熱中している。
He is obsessed with his work.
Implies immersing oneself deeply in an activity, often to the exclusion of other things. More literary or formal.
彼女は研究に没頭している。
She is absorbed in her research.
Describing a persistent, often irrational or excessive preoccupation with something or someone, usually with a negative connotation.
The most direct translation for a negative obsession, implying attachment, fixation, or clinging. Often used for unhealthy attachments to people, ideas, or material things.
彼は昔の恋人にまだ執着している。
He is still obsessed with his ex-lover.
お金への執着を捨てなさい。
Let go of your obsession with money.
Means 'adherence' or 'insistence', often used when someone stubbornly sticks to an idea, method, or belief. Closer to 'obsession with a particular way of doing things'.
Expressing an intense, often unhealthy fixation on a specific person.
The standard way to say 'obsessed with a person'. See above.
ストーカーは被害者に執着していた。
The stalker was obsessed with the victim.
Literally 'to become too absorbed in someone'. Implies a level of obsession that is excessive or unhealthy.
彼女は彼に夢中になりすぎて、友達を失った。
She was so obsessed with him that she lost her friends.
Referring to obsessive thoughts as part of obsessive-compulsive disorder or similar conditions.
The standard term for 'obsession' in a clinical psychology context. Often paired with 強迫行為 (compulsion).
彼は汚染に対する強迫観念がある。
He has an obsession with contamination.
The loanword from English, used in psychological or technical contexts. Less common in everyday speech.
夢中 (muchuu) is generally positive or neutral, implying enthusiastic absorption. 執着 (shuuchaku) is negative, implying unhealthy attachment or clinging. Use 夢中 for hobbies and fun interests; use 執着 for fixations that cause suffering or are socially inappropriate.
趣味に夢中になるのは良いことだ。
It's good to be obsessed with a hobby.
元恋人への執着はやめたほうがいい。
You should let go of your obsession with your ex.
Avoid directly translating 'obsession' as 執着 when you mean a positive strong interest. Saying 私はゲームに執着している sounds like you have an unhealthy fixation on games, not that you simply love playing them. Use 夢中 or ハマっている instead.
私はゲームに夢中です。
I'm obsessed with games. (positive)
He is obsessed with his own opinion.
Literally 'obsessive idea' or 'compulsion'. Used in psychological contexts or to describe an irrational, persistent thought that one cannot get rid of. Stronger and more clinical.
彼は誰かに見られているという強迫観念に囚われている。
He is obsessed with the idea that someone is watching him.
A clinical or dramatic term for 'erotomania' or romantic delusion. Used when someone falsely believes another person is in love with them.
彼女は上司に対する恋愛妄想を抱いている。
She has a romantic obsession with her boss.
オブセッションは強迫性障害の症状の一つです。
Obsessions are one symptom of OCD.