Translation guide
How to express the idea of losing one's senses in Japanese, covering both literal sensory loss and figurative loss of composure or rationality.
The speaker wants to say that someone has become irrational, hysterical, or lost their ability to think clearly, often due to strong emotion.
Literally 'lose one's sanity/sound mind'. The most direct equivalent for losing one's rational senses. Used for temporary loss of reason due to shock, anger, etc.
彼は怒りで正気を失った。
He lost his senses in anger.
あまりの恐怖に正気を失いそうだった。
I almost lost my senses from sheer terror.
Literally 'forget oneself'. Implies being so absorbed or emotional that one loses self-control or awareness. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼女は興奮して我を忘れた。
She got so excited she lost her senses.
我を忘れて叫んでしまった。
I lost my senses and ended up screaming.
Literally 'lose reason/rationality'. More formal and emphasizes the loss of logical thinking. Suitable for written or serious contexts.
彼は理性を失って暴力を振るった。
He lost his senses and resorted to violence.
Means to be upset, flustered, or disoriented to the point of not thinking straight. Often used when surprised or shocked.
突然の知らせに気が動転して、何も考えられなかった。
I lost my senses at the sudden news and couldn't think of anything.
Specifically means to lose composure and become visibly agitated or hysterical. Often used for crying or panicking.
彼女は悲しみのあまり取り乱した。
She lost her senses from grief.
The speaker wants to say that someone has lost one or more of their five senses, such as going blind or deaf.
General phrase for losing sensation or a sense. Can be used for any physical sense.
事故で足の感覚を失った。
He lost sensation in his legs after the accident.
病気で視覚を失うこともある。
You can lose your sense of sight due to illness.
Specifically 'lose one's five senses'. Used when referring to all senses or in a dramatic context.
暗闇の中で五感を失ったような気がした。
In the darkness, I felt as if I had lost all my senses.
Medical/formal term for losing eyesight, 'go blind'. Not used for other senses.
彼は戦争で失明した。
He lost his sight in the war.
The speaker wants to say that someone is behaving in a senseless, foolish, or reckless manner.
Literally 'lose discretion/judgment'. Used when someone acts imprudently or without common sense.
酒に酔って分別を失った。
He got drunk and lost his senses.
Colloquial for 'become stupid/foolish'. Can imply temporary loss of good judgment, often due to love or infatuation.
恋をすると人は馬鹿になる。
People lose their senses when they fall in love.
Formal expression meaning 'deviate from the normal path', i.e., act irrationally or insanely. Stronger and more literary.
彼の行動は常軌を逸している。
His behavior shows he has lost his senses.
The English phrase 'lose one's senses' is almost always figurative. Translating it word-for-word as 感覚を失う will sound like a physical loss of sensation. Use 正気を失う or 我を忘れる for the common figurative meaning.
正気を失う emphasizes the loss of sanity or rational mind, often due to extreme emotion. 我を忘れる focuses on losing self-awareness or self-control, often from being absorbed in something. Both are common, but 正気を失う is slightly more serious.
怒りで正気を失う
lose one's senses from anger
嬉しさのあまり我を忘れる
be beside oneself with joy