動 悸(どうき)

どうき

noun

palpitations; rapid heartbeat

medical

See also: 動機(どうき) (motive, motivation), 同期(どうき) (same year, synchronization)

1. palpitations, rapid heartbeat, heart pounding

An awareness of one's heartbeat, often experienced as a rapid, irregular, or unusually strong heartbeat.

緊張(きんちょう)で動悸(どうき)がする。

My heart is pounding from nervousness.

動悸(どうき)と息切(いきぎ)れがひどい。

I have severe palpitations and shortness of breath.

動悸(どうき)が続(つづ)くなら病院(びょういん)に行(い)った方(ほう)がいい。

If the palpitations continue, you should go to the hospital.

彼女(かのじょ)を見(み)ると動悸(どうき)がする。

My heart races when I see her.

Medical term

動悸(どうき) refers to the sensation of feeling one's heartbeat, particularly when it's rapid, irregular, or unusually forceful.

Causes

緊張(きんちょう): Nervousness, anxiety
運動(うんどう): Physical exercise
恋愛(れんあい): Romantic excitement
病気(びょうき): Medical conditions (e.g., arrhythmia)
カフェイン: Caffeine
ストレス: Stress

Common expressions

動悸(どうき)がする: to have palpitations
動悸(どうき)が激(はげ)しい: to have intense palpitations
動悸(どうき)が治(おさ)まる: for palpitations to subside

Medical context

動悸(どうき) is often mentioned alongside:

息切(いきぎ)れ: Shortness of breath
めまい: Dizziness
胸痛(きょうつう): Chest pain

If experiencing frequent or severe 動悸(どうき), consult a doctor as it may indicate:

不整脈(ふせいみゃく): Arrhythmia
甲状腺(こうじょうせん)機能(きのう)亢進症(こうしんしょう): Hyperthyroidism
貧血(ひんけつ): Anemia

Related Words

Related: 息切(いきぎ)れ

Compare: 鼓動(こどう) (heartbeat)

Compare: 心拍(しんぱく) (heartbeat)

Compare: 拍動(はくどう) (pulsation)

Compare: 胸痛(きょうつう) (chest pain)

general

Added 2026.1.17 17:50 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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