Japanese Emotion Words for Daily Conversation

Japanese has many unique emotion words with no exact English equivalents.
These expressive words add warmth and depth to your daily conversations.

In this post, you’ll learn common Japanese emotion words like ukiuki, wakuwaku, and dokidoki — perfect for expressing your true feelings naturally in everyday life.

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💓 うきうき (ukiuki) — Bubbly with Excitement

Meaning: Feeling happy and excited right now; a light, joyful feeling.

Examples:

• 明日、デートだからウキウキしている💓
  　→ I’m so excited because I have a date tomorrow.

• 新しい服を着て出かける朝はウキウキする👗
  　→ I feel bubbly and happy when I go out wearing new clothes.

💡 Tip: Use ukiuki for immediate joy or excitement happening right now.

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✈️ わくわく (wakuwaku) — Looking Forward to Something Exciting

Meaning: Feeling excited in anticipation of a future event.

Examples:

• 旅行の前の日はいつもわくわく✈️
  　→ I always feel thrilled the day before a trip.

• プレゼントを開けるときってわくわくする🎁
  　→ I get excited when I’m about to open a gift.

💡 Tip:
wakuwaku = excitement about something coming soon
ukiuki = excitement happening now

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😏 にやにや (niyaniya) — Smirk or Secretly Amused

Meaning: Smiling to yourself in amusement or satisfaction.

Examples:

• 好きな人からメッセージが来て、にやにや💌
  　→ I couldn’t stop smirking after getting a message from my crush.

• 漫画の面白いシーンを思い出して、ひとりでにやにやした。
  　→ I smirked to myself remembering a funny scene from a comic.

💡 Note: Depending on context, niyaniya can also describe a sly or mischievous smile.

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💗 どきどき (dokidoki) — Heart Pounding

Meaning: Feeling nervous or excited, often with a fast heartbeat.

Examples:

• 好きな人に会うとどきどき💗
  　→ My heart races when I see my crush.

• 初めてのプレゼンテーションでどきどきした🎤
  　→ I was nervous giving my first presentation.

• お化け屋敷に入った瞬間、どきどきした👻
  　→ My heart was pounding as soon as I entered the haunted house.

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😰 はらはら (harahara) — Nervous or Anxious

Meaning: Feeling suspense, worry, or tension; being on edge.

Examples:

• ドラマの結末にハラハラ📺
  　→ I was on edge waiting for the ending of the drama.

• 試合の最後の数分、はらはらして見ていた⚽
  　→ I watched the last few minutes of the game nervously.

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😢 うるうる (uruuruu) — On the Verge of Tears

Meaning: Teary-eyed; deeply moved or emotionally touched.

Examples:

• 映画の感動的なシーンでうるうる🎬
  　→ I got teary-eyed at the emotional scene in the movie.

• 卒業式で友達と別れるとき、うるうるした🎓
  　→ I teared up when saying goodbye to friends at graduation.

• ペットの可愛い姿にうるうる😍
  　→ I felt teary-eyed seeing my cute pet.

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💢 イライラ (iraira) — Feeling Irritated or Frustrated

Meaning: A feeling of frustration, restlessness, or anger when things don’t go as you want.
It describes emotional irritation or impatience — like your nerves are on edge.

Examples:

• 渋滞でイライラする。
  　→ I get irritated in traffic.

• 彼の話し方にイライラした。
  　→ His way of talking annoyed me.

• ずっと待たされてイライラした。
  　→ I got frustrated after waiting for so long.

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😞 がっかり (gakkari) — Disappointed

Meaning: Feeling let down or disappointed when something doesn’t meet your expectations.

Examples:

• 試験に落ちてがっかり📉
  　→ I was disappointed when I failed the exam.

• 楽しみにしていたイベントが中止になってがっかり😔
  　→ I was disappointed when the event I was looking forward to got canceled.

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These Japanese emotion words perfectly capture subtle feelings that English sometimes can’t.
Using words like ukiuki, wakuwaku, or dokidoki will make your Japanese more natural, vivid, and emotionally expressive.

Try using them in your next conversation — and feel the difference! 💬