1.
impulsive; seizure-like; happening on a sudden, uncontrollable urge
Describes behavior or emotional reactions that erupt suddenly, like a fit or seizure, and which the person cannot easily control. Used mostly of urges, rage, weeping, or impulsive actions — often the kind the speaker later regrets. The underlying noun 発作 literally refers to a medical attack or seizure (e.g., asthma or epilepsy), which gives the adjective its nuance of uncontrollable, sudden onset.
発作的な怒り。
A sudden, fit-like anger.
Compound of 発作 ('attack; seizure; fit') and the adjectival suffix 〜的. The medical noun 発作 itself appears in phrases like 喘息の発作 ('asthma attack') and 心臓発作 ('heart attack'), which shapes the nuance of 発作的: not just spur-of-the-moment, but almost involuntary.
Usage
- Very commonly used adverbially as 発作的に, modifying verbs of action or emotion: に泣き出す ('burst into tears'), に叫ぶ ('shout'), に買う ('buy on impulse').
- As a な-adjective, modifies nouns like 怒り, 衝動, 行動.
- Usually carries a negative or problematic nuance — the action was not well thought out.
- Stronger than simple 突然 ('suddenly'): emphasizes loss of self-control, not just unexpectedness.
Common collocations
- 発作的な怒り: sudden fit of rage
- 発作的な衝動: uncontrollable impulse
- 発作的に泣き出す: to burst into tears
- 発作的に買う: to buy on impulse
- 発作的な行動: impulsive behavior
Similar words
- 衝動的: impulsive — very close in meaning; slightly less strong and more everyday. 発作的 suggests a more violent or seizure-like onset.
- 突発的: sudden; sporadic — stresses unexpected occurrence, often of external events (e.g., 突発的な事故 'a sudden accident').
- 反射的: reflexive — stresses an automatic, unreasoned reaction rather than an urge.
- 計画的: planned; premeditated — a common antonym.
Related Words
Compare:
衝動的 (impulsive)
Compare:
突発的 (sudden)
Compare:
反射的 (reflexive)
Compare:
計画的 (planned)