Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'fainting' depends on the cause and context. The most common medical term is 失神 (loss of consciousness), while 気絶 is more colloquial and often implies fainting from shock or emotion. 卒倒 is a somewhat older term for sudden collapse. For heat-related fainting, 熱中症 or 立ちくらみ (dizziness upon standing) may be more natural. This guide covers medical, emotional, and situational expressions.
To describe fainting as a medical event, such as syncope or passing out due to a health issue.
The standard medical term for fainting or syncope. Used in formal and clinical contexts.
彼は貧血で失神した。
He fainted from anemia.
Literally 'to lose consciousness'. A common, slightly more descriptive way to say 'faint'.
彼女は突然意識を失った。
She suddenly lost consciousness.
An older or literary term for fainting or collapsing. Less common in modern speech.
暑さで卒倒しそうになった。
I almost fainted from the heat.
To express fainting due to surprise, fear, or overwhelming emotion, often in casual or dramatic contexts.
Commonly used for fainting or passing out, especially from shock, pain, or emotion. Can also mean 'knocked out'.
その知らせを聞いて気絶しそうになった。
I almost fainted when I heard the news.
Can be used for fainting from shock, but sounds slightly dated or dramatic.
彼はその光景に卒倒した。
He fainted at the sight.
To describe the sensation of being about to faint, lightheadedness, or dizziness, rather than actual loss of consciousness.
Specifically refers to dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing up, often leading to fainting. Very common.
立ちくらみがして倒れそうになった。
I felt dizzy and almost collapsed.
General dizziness or vertigo. Not necessarily fainting, but often used when feeling faint.
急にめまいがして、座り込んだ。
I suddenly felt dizzy and sat down.
Literally 'to have an anemia attack'. Used when fainting is caused by anemia, often implying a chronic condition.
彼女はよく貧血を起こして倒れる。
She often faints due to anemia.
To describe fainting or collapsing specifically due to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
The most natural way to say 'collapse from heatstroke'. 熱中症 is the general term for heat-related illness.
昨日、熱中症で倒れた人がいた。
Yesterday, someone collapsed from heatstroke.
Literally 'lose consciousness from the heat'. A straightforward description.
炎天下で暑さのあまり気を失った。
I fainted from the heat under the blazing sun.
失神 is the clinical term for syncope. 気絶 is more colloquial and often implies fainting from shock, pain, or being knocked out. 卒倒 is an older term for sudden collapse, now mostly literary. For everyday 'fainting', 気絶 or 意識を失う are safest.
フェイント (from English 'faint') means a feint or deceptive move in sports/games, not losing consciousness.
彼女は血を見て気絶した。
She fainted at the sight of blood.
彼は脱水症状で意識を失った。
He passed out from dehydration.