Translation and Meaning of: 気分 - kibun

The Japanese word 気分 (きぶん) is a common term in everyday Japan, but its richness of meaning goes beyond a simple translation. If you have ever wondered how to express emotions, sensations, or states of mind in Japanese, understanding 気分 is essential. In this article, we will explore its meaning, use in different contexts, and even how it reflects aspects of Japanese culture.

In addition to unraveling what 気分 really means, we will see how it appears in everyday conversations, its relationship with other Japanese concepts, and tips for memorizing it efficiently. If you are learning Japanese or just curious about the language, this guide will help clarify doubts and deepen your knowledge.

The meaning and use of 気分 in Japanese

気分 can be translated as "mood," "feeling," or "state of mind," but its meaning is broader. It describes both fleeting emotions ("I'm in a good 気分 today") and physical reactions ("I'm feeling 気分が悪い" – I feel unwell/nauseous). This duality makes the word extremely versatile in the language.

In Japan, asking "気分はどう？" (How are you feeling?) is a common way to show concern for another's well-being. Unlike Portuguese, where "humor" often refers only to emotions, 気分 encompasses everything from physical disposition to subjective impressions about situations. For example, saying "この場所は気分がいい" (This place has a good atmosphere) illustrates how the word captures ambient sensations as well.

The origin and the kanji of 気分

The composition of 気分 already reveals part of its meaning. The kanji 気 (ki) represents "energy," "air," or "spirit," while 分 (bun) means "part" or "division." Together, they form the idea of a "divided state of vital energy," which explains its use to describe both the physical and the emotional. This etymology is recorded in dictionaries like 漢字源 (Kanjigen), a reliable source on kanjis.

It is worth noting that 気 is one of the most frequent kanji in Japanese, appearing in words like 天気 (weather) and 元気 (health/energy). Its presence in 気分 reinforces the connection with internal and external states. On the other hand, 分 also appears in terms like 自分 (oneself) and 十分 (sufficient), showing its relation to measurements and portions – in the case of 気分, the "measure" of your current state.

Tips for memorizing and using 気分 correctly

A practical way to internalize 気分 is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, in animes or dramas, characters often use phrases like "気分転換が必要" (I need a change of pace) or "気分が乗らない" (I'm not in the mood). Hearing the word in real contexts helps to memorize not only its meaning but also the natural intonation.

Another tip is to create flashcards with opposite examples: "気分がいい" (good) vs. "気分が悪い" (bad), or "気分が晴れる" (emotional relief) vs. "気分が沈む" (dejection). This contrast makes memorization easier. According to studies on language learning, like those of psychologist Paul Pimsleur, associating words with emotions and concrete situations increases long-term retention.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 気持ち (Kimochi) - Feeling, Emotion
• 気分 (Kibun) - State of mind, mood
• 気分状態 (Kibun joutai) - Current psychological state
• 気分転換 (Kibun tenkan) - Mood change, distraction
• 気分爽快 (Kibun soukai) - Feeling refreshed, in a good mood
• 気分がいい (Kibun ga ii) - Feeling good
• 気分が悪い (Kibun ga warui) - Feeling sick, nauseous
• 気分が高揚する (Kibun ga kouyou suru) - Feeling euphoria, feeling elevated
• 気分が落ち込む (Kibun ga ochikomu) - Feeling down, depressed
• 気分が晴れる (Kibun ga hareru) - To feel relieved, to lift one's spirits
• 気分が良い (Kibun ga yoi) - Feel good (synonym of 気分がいい)
• 気分が悪くなる (Kibun ga warukunaru) - Start to feel unwell
• 気分が変わる (Kibun ga kawaru) - Change of mood
• 気分が上がる (Kibun ga agaru) - Feel excited, lift your spirits
• 気分が下がる (Kibun ga sagaru) - Feeling discouraged, losing heart
• 気分が安定する (Kibun ga antei suru) - Feeling emotionally stable
• 気分が乗る (Kibun ga noru) - Feeling high, excited
• 気分が滅入る (Kibun ga meiru) - Feeling depressed
• 気分が沈む (Kibun ga shizumu) - Feeling sad, discouraged
• 気分が興奮する (Kibun ga koufun suru) - To feel excited, animated
• 気分が落ち着く (Kibun ga ochitsuku) - Feel calm, relax

気分

Romaji: kibun
Kana: きぶん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: feeling; humor

Meaning in English: feeling;mood

Definition: state of mind and emotions.

Example Sentences - (気分) kibun

See below some example sentences:

飴を食べると幸せな気分になる。

Ame wo taberu to shiawase na kibun ni naru

Eating sweets makes you feel happy.

• 飴 - Japanese sweet in the shape of a ball or cylinder
• を - object particle
• 食べる - verb "to eat"
• と - Comparison particle
• 幸せ - adjective "happy"
• な - suffix that transforms the adjective into a predicate
• 気分 - noun "feeling"
• に - target particle
• なる - verb "become"

私は花を嗅いでいると幸せな気分になります。

Watashi wa hana o kagu to shiawase na kibun ni narimasu

When smelling flowers

I feel happy when I smell the flowers.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 花 (hana) - Japanese noun meaning "flower"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 嗅いでいる (kaideiru) - Japanese verb meaning "to smell" in the present continuous tense
• と (to) - Japanese particle indicating the consequence or result of the previous action
• 幸せな (shiawasena) - Japanese adjective meaning "happy"
• 気分 (kibun) - Japanese noun meaning "state of mind"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle indicating the direction or target of the action
• なります (narimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to become" in the formal present tense

私は嫌な気分です。

Watashi wa iyana kibun desu

I have an unpleasant feeling.

I feel bad.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 嫌な (iya na) - adjective that means "unpleasant"
• 気分 (kibun) - noun that means "state of mind"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating the polite and formal form of the present tense of the verb "ser/estar"

私は憂鬱な気分です。

Watashi wa yūutsu na kibun desu

I have a feeling of sadness/depression.

I feel depressed.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 憂鬱 (yuuutsu) - a noun that means "melancholy," "sadness"
• な (na) - particle that connects the previous noun to an adjective, in this case, "yuuutsu" to "kibun"
• 気分 (kibun) - noun that means "state of mind," "mood"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and formal way of expressing oneself in Japanese

私はすっきりした気分です。

Watashi wa sukkiri shita kibun desu

I'm feeling refreshed.

I feel invigorated.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• すっきりした - adjective that means "clean," "refreshing," or "clear"
• 気分 - noun that means "state of mind" or "mood"
• です - linking verb that indicates the existence or state of something, in this case "I am"

私の気分は良いです。

Watashi no kibun wa ii desu

I'm feeling well.

My mood is good.

• 私 - personal pronoun meaning "I" in Japanese.
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 気分 - noun that means "state of mind" or "mood".
• は - Particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
• 良い - adjective meaning "good" or "pleasant."
• です - verb to be in the present, used to indicate a statement or a current situation.