胸(むね)が熱(あつ)くなる

むねがあつくなる
expression
to be deeply moved; to be touched
emotionbody-part
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(き)いて胸(むね)が熱(あつ)くなった。
I was deeply moved listening to that speech.
選手(せんしゅ)たちの頑張(がんば)りを見(み)て、胸(むね)が熱(あつ)くなった。
Watching the athletes' efforts, I felt my heart swell.
卒業式(そつぎょうしき)で恩師(おんし)の言葉(ことば)を聞(き)き、思(おも)わず胸(むね)が熱(あつ)くなって涙(なみだ)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(むね) (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(むね)が熱(あつ)くなる場面(ばめん) — a moving scene
  • 思(おも)わず胸(むね)が熱(あつ)くなる — to be moved despite oneself
  • 胸(むね)が熱(あつ)くなる思(おも)い — a feeling of being deeply touched

Related words

Related Words

Related: 感動(かんどう)する (to be moved, impressed)
Related: 感動(かんどう) (being moved, emotion)
Compare: 目頭(めがしら)が熱(あつ)くなる (to be moved to tears)
Compare: 胸(むね)がきゅんとする (to feel a pang in one's heart)
general
Added 2026.3.29 23:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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