Translation guide
A feeling that something is about to happen, especially something unpleasant. In Japanese, this is often expressed through nouns like 予感 (yokan) or verbs like 気がする (ki ga suru). The most natural translation depends on whether the feeling is vague, ominous, or based on intuition.
Expressing a general sense of anticipation, not necessarily negative.
The most direct equivalent. Can be used for both positive and negative premonitions. Often used with がする.
何かいいことがありそうな予感がする。
I have a presentiment that something good is going to happen.
A very common phrase meaning 'I have a feeling that...' or 'I get the sense that...'. It's softer and more subjective than 予感.
今日は何か悪いことが起こる気がする。
I have a presentiment that something bad will happen today.
Literally 'insect's notice', this is an idiomatic expression for an intuitive premonition, often about something negative. It carries a slightly superstitious nuance.
虫の知らせで、事故を避けられた。
Thanks to a presentiment, I was able to avoid the accident.
Specifically a feeling that something bad is about to happen.
A feeling of unease or anxiety in one's chest, often used for a premonition of something bad. It implies a physical sensation of unrest.
胸騒ぎがして、家に電話した。
I had a presentiment and called home.
Literally 'bad presentiment'. A very common and straightforward way to say you have a bad feeling about something.
嫌な予感が当たった。
My presentiment came true.
A more formal or literary way to say 'ominous presentiment'. 不吉 means 'ominous' or 'ill-omened'.
不吉な予感に襲われた。
I was seized by a presentiment of doom.
A gut feeling or intuition about something, not necessarily negative.
Means 'intuition' or 'gut feeling'. It's less about a specific event and more about an instinctive sense.
直感で、彼が嘘をついていると分かった。
I had a presentiment that he was lying.
An onomatopoeic phrase meaning 'to have a flash of intuition' or 'to get a hunch'. Often used when something suddenly clicks.
彼の言葉にピンと来た。
I had a presentiment about what he meant.
予感 is a noun meaning 'premonition' and is neutral in tone. 気がする is a phrase meaning 'I have a feeling' and is very subjective. 胸騒ぎ specifically refers to an uneasy, physical sensation of foreboding. Use 予感 for general premonitions, 気がする for vague feelings, and 胸騒ぎ when you feel it in your gut.
いい予感がする。
I have a good presentiment.
何か忘れた気がする。
I have a feeling I forgot something.
胸騒ぎがして眠れなかった。
I had a presentiment and couldn't sleep.