Translation guide
The English word "faint" has two main meanings: losing consciousness and something being weak or dim. This guide covers how to express these naturally in Japanese.
To suddenly become unconscious, often due to shock, illness, or exhaustion.
The most common and general verb for fainting or losing consciousness. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
彼は暑さで気絶した。
He fainted from the heat.
血を見て気絶しそうになった。
I almost fainted at the sight of blood.
Describing something that is not strong, clear, or bright, such as light, sound, smell, or a feeling.
An adjective meaning faint, dim, or barely perceptible. Used for light, sound, smell, hope, etc.
かすかな光が見えた。
I saw a faint light.
かすかな音が聞こえた。
I heard a faint sound.
To feel lightheaded, weak, or about to lose consciousness.
The most common way to say 'feel dizzy/faint'. Used for vertigo or lightheadedness.
立ち上がったらめまいがした。
I felt faint when I stood up.
Specifically refers to dizziness or faintness upon standing up (orthostatic hypotension).
In English, 'faint' can be a verb (to lose consciousness) or an adjective (dim/weak). In Japanese, these are completely different words. Use 気絶する for losing consciousness and かすかな for dim/weak. Do not try to use one word for both.
気絶する is the most common and can be used in daily conversation. 失神する is more formal and often used in medical or written contexts. 意識を失う is a neutral, descriptive phrase meaning 'lose consciousness' and is safe for any situation.
彼女はその知らせを聞いて気絶した。
She fainted at the news.
彼女の顔にかすかな微笑みが浮かんだ。
There was a faint smile on her face.
A more formal or medical term for fainting, often used in written or clinical contexts.
患者は診察中に失神した。
The patient fainted during the examination.
Literally 'to lose consciousness'. A clear and neutral way to describe fainting, suitable for most situations.
彼女は突然意識を失った。
She suddenly lost consciousness.
A somewhat literary or old-fashioned term for fainting or collapsing. Not commonly used in everyday speech.
あまりの驚きに卒倒しそうになった。
I nearly fainted from the shock.
A general adjective meaning 'weak'. Can be used for faint signals, pulses, or colors, but is less specific than かすかな.
脈が弱い。
The pulse is faint.
Describes something faint but pleasant, like a subtle fragrance or a dim, gentle light. Often has a poetic nuance.
ほのかな香りが漂っている。
A faint fragrance is wafting through the air.
The kanji version of かすかな. Same meaning but more formal/written. In speech, hiragana is more common.
微かな希望を抱く。
To have a faint hope.
急に立ち上がると立ちくらみがします。
I get faint if I stand up suddenly.
Literally 'to have an anemia attack'. Used when faintness is due to anemia. More medical.
彼女は貧血を起こして倒れた。
She became faint from anemia and collapsed.