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震撼 (しんかん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, intransitive verb
shake ; shock ; rock
Describes a strong emotional or physical impact that shakes someone or something to the core. Often used in news for events that shock society or an organization. Can be used transitively (something shocks someone) or intransitively (someone is shaken).
He was shocked by the news.
Similar words 衝しょう 撃げき 衝撃 is a more common word for 'shock' or 'impact', often physical or psychological. 震撼 emphasizes a deeper, more profound shaking or upheaval, often used in dramatic or formal contexts.
動どう 揺よう 動揺 refers to emotional disturbance or unrest, often personal. 震撼 implies a stronger, more widespread shock that can affect groups or systems.
Etymology Compound of 震 (shin, 'quake, shake') and 撼 (kan, 'move, shake'). Both characters convey shaking or moving, combining to mean a profound shaking or shock. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is used in modern Japanese for strong emotional or societal impact.
