Word
熱中
Meaning in Englishenthusiasm, zeal, mania
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 熱中 mean? It denotes a state of intense interest or immersion in something, where a person is fully engaged and devoted to a task, hobby, or subject, often to the exclusion of other concerns.
Main meanings
- A strong state of being deeply absorbed in an activity or subject.
- A lively enthusiasm or passion for something, sometimes bordering on obsession.
- A period of intense focus that may lead to neglect of other responsibilities.
How to use it
Used as a noun to express a state of intense interest or immersion. It appears in formal and casual contexts and is commonly paired with 熱中する to describe actively pursuing or devoting oneself to something; can describe studying, hobbies, sports, or work. Not typically used for fleeting interest; conveys sustained focus.
Variants and close terms
- engrossment — nettchū
- enthusiasm — nettchū
- zeal — nettchū
- immersion — nettchū
- obsession (slightly negative) — nettchū
- indifference (antonym) — mukanshin
Composition
- 熱: heat, fever; in compounds it conveys ardor or passion
- 中: inside, middle; indicates the focus or center of attention
Etymology
From 熱 (heat, passion) + 中 (inside, middle); the pronunciation nettchū arises in a common on'yomi-based compound and reflects rendaku in everyday speech.
Word class
Noun (名詞)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
光熱費
kounetsuhi
cost of fuel and light
N1
中程
nakahodo
middle, midway
N1
熱意
netsui
zeal, enthusiasm
N1
熱湯
nettou
boiling water
N1
熱量
netsuryou
calorific value
N1
情熱
jounetsu
passion, enthusiasm, zeal
N1
心中
shinjuu
double suicide
N1
中継
chuukei
relay, hook-up
N1
中傷
chuushou
slander, libel, defamation