1.
to be deeply moved; to be touched; to feel one's heart swell
To experience a strong emotion of being moved, touched, or inspired, as if warmth is rising in one's chest. Describes a positive emotional response to something moving or beautiful.
あのスピーチを聞いて胸が熱くなった。
I was deeply moved listening to that speech.
選手たちの頑張りを見て、胸が熱くなった。
Watching the athletes' efforts, I felt my heart swell.
卒業式で恩師の言葉を聞き、思わず胸が熱くなって涙がこぼれた。
At the graduation ceremony, hearing my teacher's words, I was so moved that tears fell unbidden.
Literally "one's chest becomes hot" — a physical metaphor for being emotionally moved. The 胸 (chest/heart) is the seat of emotion in Japanese, similar to "heart" in English.
USAGE:
Used to describe being positively moved — by kindness, effort, beauty, or sacrifice. Stronger than simply being happy; implies that the emotion is deep enough to cause physical sensation. Often appears in descriptions of ceremonies, sports, films, and heartfelt moments.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 胸が熱くなる場面 — a moving scene
- 思わず胸が熱くなる — to be moved despite oneself
- 胸が熱くなる思い — a feeling of being deeply touched
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 胸を打たれる — to be struck in the heart; deeply moved
- 感動する — to be moved, impressed (more general)
- 胸がいっぱいになる — to be overwhelmed with emotion