What Does Kandou Mean in Japanese? 感動した Meaning, Usage & Examples

Hello, I’m Kodak.

You have just finished watching a beautiful movie. The ending makes you cry, and your Japanese friend says:

すごく感動した！
Sugoku kandō shita!

The best English translation depends on what caused the feeling. A moving story, an act of kindness, a powerful performance, and an impressive achievement can all cause 感動, but English may describe each one differently.

What Does Kandou (感動) Mean in Japanese?

感動 is the emotional response you feel when something reaches you deeply.

映画のラストに感動した。
Eiga no rasuto ni kandō shita.
I was moved by the ending of the movie.

彼女の優しさに感動しました。
Kanojo no yasashisa ni kandō shimashita.
I was touched by her kindness.

悲しい話だったけれど、深く感動した。
Kanashii hanashi datta keredo, fukaku kandō shita.
It was a sad story, but it moved me deeply.

Related article: What Does 切ない (Setsunai) Mean?

Kandou in English: Moved, Touched, or Impressed?

Japanese-English dictionaries commonly translate 感動する as be moved, be touched, or be impressed. These translations overlap, but they are not identical.

The Core Image of 感動: Your Feelings Are Moved

The word becomes easier to remember when you look at its two kanji.

The Origin and History of Kandou

感動 is not a recent slang word. Japanese dictionaries record uses of the word in texts from many centuries ago, including an example dated to the eleventh century and later medieval writing.

The word also appears in older Chinese literary sources. Its historical uses included both:

In modern everyday Japanese, the most important meaning is:

How to Pronounce Kandou

The final おう represents a long ō sound. That is why you may see two romanizations:

How Do You Write Kandou in Japanese?

感動 is the standard spelling. Hiragana may be used for reading support or stylistic reasons, while katakana may be used for visual emphasis.

How to Use Kandou Suru (感動する)

感動 is a noun that combines with する to form the verb 感動する.

1. ～に感動する: To Be Moved by Something

The particle に commonly marks the person, action, story, scene, or quality that causes the emotion.

選手たちの努力に感動した。
Senshu-tachi no doryoku ni kandō shita.
I was moved by the athletes’ effort.

彼のスピーチに深く感動しました。
Kare no supīchi ni fukaku kandō shimashita.
I was deeply moved by his speech.

2. ～て感動した: Moved Because of an Action or Event

The te-form can explain what happened before the emotional response.

二人が再会する場面を見て感動した。
Futari ga saikai suru bamen o mite kandō shita.
I was moved when I saw the scene where the two reunited.

みんなが応援してくれて感動しました。
Minna ga ōen shite kurete kandō shimashita.
I was touched that everyone supported me.

3. 感動して～: Being Moved, Someone Does Something

感動して涙が出た。
Kandō shite namida ga deta.
I was so moved that tears came to my eyes.

彼女は感動して言葉を失った。
Kanojo wa kandō shite kotoba o ushinatta.
She was so moved that she was speechless.

Related article: What Does 涙 (Namida) Mean?

What Does Kandou Shita (感動した) Mean?

Japanese often omits the subject and the cause when both are clear.

感動した！
Kandō shita!
That was so moving! / I was really moved!

Casual and Polite Forms

Kandou Shita vs Kandou Shiteiru

In everyday conversation immediately after a movie, performance, or speech, 感動した is usually the more natural reaction.

How to Say “It Was Moving” in Japanese

Japanese has several natural patterns.

最後のシーンはとても感動的だった。
Saigo no shīn wa totemo kandōteki datta.
The final scene was very moving.

彼女の言葉に心を動かされた。
Kanojo no kotoba ni kokoro o ugokasareta.
Her words moved me.

Kandou Suru vs Kandou Saseru

私はその物語に感動した。
Watashi wa sono monogatari ni kandō shita.
I was moved by the story.

その物語は多くの人を感動させた。
Sono monogatari wa ōku no hito o kandō saseta.
The story moved many people.

What Does Kandouteki (感動的) Mean?

Add 的 (teki) to make a な-adjective:

卒業式で感動的なスピーチを聞いた。
Sotsugyōshiki de kandōteki na supīchi o kiita.
I heard a moving speech at the graduation ceremony.

Common Collocations with Kandou

会場は大きな感動に包まれた。
Kaijō wa ōkina kandō ni tsutsumareta.
The venue was filled with emotion.

彼の挑戦は多くの人に感動を与えた。
Kare no chōsen wa ōku no hito ni kandō o ataeta.
His challenge inspired and moved many people.

Kandou vs Kangeki vs Kanmei vs Kanshin

These words all describe a strong reaction, but their focus differs.

Kandou vs Setsunai: Moving or Heart-Aching?

A single movie can be both.

二人の別れが切なくて、感動した。
Futari no wakare ga setsunakute, kandō shita.
Their farewell was heartbreaking, and it moved me deeply.

Kandou vs Nakeru: “Moving” vs “Makes Me Cry”

泣ける (nakeru) literally means “can cry,” but in casual Japanese it often means that something is so emotional that it makes you cry.

You can combine them naturally:

感動して泣いた。
Kandō shite naita.
I was moved to tears.

この話は何度聞いても感動して泣ける。
Kono hanashi wa nando kiite mo kandō shite nakeru.
No matter how many times I hear this story, it moves me to tears.

Is Kandou Used for Negative Experiences?

How Kandou Is Used in Anime, Manga, Movies, and Social Media

In reactions to entertainment, Japanese speakers often use short sentences because the subject is obvious.

Natural Situations for Using Kandou Shita

After a Movie or Anime Episode

最後のシーンに感動した。
Saigo no shīn ni kandō shita.
I was moved by the final scene.

After Receiving Kindness

みんなが手伝ってくれて感動した。
Minna ga tetsudatte kurete kandō shita.
I was touched that everyone helped me.

After a Performance

生の演奏を聞いて感動しました。
Nama no ensō o kiite kandō shimashita.
I was deeply impressed and moved by the live performance.

After Seeing Great Effort

最後まで諦めない姿に感動した。
Saigo made akiramenai sugata ni kandō shita.
I was moved by the way they refused to give up until the end.

After Seeing Beautiful Scenery

山頂からの景色に感動した。
Sanchō kara no keshiki ni kandō shita.
I was deeply impressed by the view from the mountaintop.

Natural Example Sentences with Kandou

この映画には本当に感動した。
Kono eiga ni wa hontō ni kandō shita.
This movie truly moved me.

彼女の話を聞いて、深く感動しました。
Kanojo no hanashi o kiite, fukaku kandō shimashita.
I was deeply moved after hearing her story.

子どもたちの一生懸命な姿に感動した。
Kodomo-tachi no isshōkenmei na sugata ni kandō shita.
I was moved by how hard the children were trying.

その手紙を読んで感動の涙を流した。
Sono tegami o yonde kandō no namida o nagashita.
I shed tears of emotion after reading the letter.

こんなに感動したのは久しぶりだ。
Konna ni kandō shita no wa hisashiburi da.
It has been a long time since I was moved this deeply.

彼の言葉は多くの人を感動させた。
Kare no kotoba wa ōku no hito o kandō saseta.
His words moved many people.

試合後の二人の抱擁は感動的だった。
Shiai-go no futari no hōyō wa kandōteki datta.
The two players’ embrace after the match was moving.

美しい景色を見て感動した。
Utsukushii keshiki o mite kandō shita.
I was deeply impressed by the beautiful scenery.

彼女の親切に感動して、お礼の手紙を書いた。
Kanojo no shinsetsu ni kandō shite, orei no tegami o kaita.
I was touched by her kindness, so I wrote her a thank-you letter.

何度見ても、この場面には感動する。
Nando mite mo, kono bamen ni wa kandō suru.
This scene moves me no matter how many times I watch it.

観客は彼の歌声に感動していた。
Kankyaku wa kare no utagoe ni kandō shite ita.
The audience was deeply moved by his singing voice.

小さな子どもの勇気ある行動に感動しました。
Chiisana kodomo no yūki aru kōdō ni kandō shimashita.
I was moved by the young child’s courageous action.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Mistake 1: Translating 感動した Only as “I Was Impressed”

Impressed is possible, but use moved or touched when the reaction is mainly emotional.

Mistake 2: Confusing 感動 with 感情

感情を表す。
Kanjō o arawasu.
to express emotion

映画に感動する。
Eiga ni kandō suru.
to be moved by a movie

Mistake 3: Saying 感動です for “I Am Moved”

感動です may appear as a shortened reaction in some contexts, but beginners should use the full verb form:

Mistake 4: Using 感動 for an Ordinary Surprise

If something is merely surprising, use 驚く. 感動 requires a deeper emotional response.

FAQ About Kandou and Kandou Shita

What does kandou mean in English?

Kandou means a deep emotional response or the state of being moved. Depending on context, it may be translated as emotion, inspiration, a deep impression, or being touched.

What does kandou shita mean?

感動した (kandou shita) means “I was moved,” “That touched me,” or “I was deeply impressed.” It is the past form of 感動する.

How do you say “I was moved” in Japanese?

Say 感動した casually or 感動しました politely.

How do you say “That was moving” in Japanese?

You can say 感動した as a natural reaction or 感動的だった to describe the thing itself as moving.

What particle is used with kandou suru?

The particle に commonly marks the cause: 映画に感動した means “I was moved by the movie.”

Is kandou always positive?

It generally has a positive or appreciative tone, although the thing causing it may be sad. A tragic but meaningful story can move someone deeply.

What is the difference between kandou and kanshin?

感動 focuses on deep emotional movement. 感心 focuses on admiration for skill, behavior, effort, or wisdom.

What is the difference between kandou and kangeki?

感動 is the broad experience of being deeply moved. 感激 emphasizes feelings rising strongly, often with delight, gratitude, or excitement.

What does kandouteki mean?

感動的 (kandouteki) means moving, touching, or emotionally powerful.

How do you write kandou in Japanese?

It is normally written 感動. The hiragana spelling is かんどう.

Why is kandou sometimes written kandō?

The final おう creates a long vowel. Kandō uses a macron to show it, while kandou follows the kana spelling.

Summary: Kandou Meaning and Kandou Shita in Japanese

Explore more: Emotional Japanese Words for Deep Feelings

References

• Kotobank: 感動 — modern definitions, historical uses, and early written examples.
• Kotobank Japanese-English Dictionary: 感動 — translations including be moved, touched, and impressed.
• Kotobank: 感激 — meaning and usage.
• Kotobank: 感銘 — meaning and historical usage.
• Kotobank: 感心 — meaning and usage.