Translation and Meaning of: 気 - ki

The Japanese word 気 (き, ki) is one of those that seems simple but carries deep meanings and multiple uses in everyday life. If you have ever studied Japanese or watched anime, you have probably come across it in expressions like 元気 (genki) or 気をつけて (ki o tsukete). In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and cultural contexts of this versatile word.

Besides being essential for those learning Japanese, 気 also reflects important aspects of the Japanese mindset, such as attention to the feelings of others and connection with the environment. Let's see how it is used in common phrases, its relationship with philosophical concepts, and even tips for memorizing it effectively.

The meaning and uses of 気

気 can be translated in various ways depending on the context. In its essence, it represents "energy," "spirit," or "mind," but it can also mean "attention," "intention," or even "atmosphere." For example, in the question 気分はどう？ (Kibun wa dou?), it refers to someone's "mood" or "feeling."

Another common use is in expressions like 気がする (ki ga suru), which means "to have the feeling that." This flexibility allows 気 to appear in countless combinations, from casual conversations to traditional proverbs. Its abstract meaning makes it a key word for understanding nuances of Japanese communication.

The origin and writing of the kanji 気

The kanji 気 has an interesting history. Originally, in China, it represented the steam rising from cooked rice, symbolizing something intangible and in motion. Over time, its meaning evolved to concepts such as "vital energy" or "invisible force." In Japan, it has been incorporated into both everyday vocabulary and practices such as traditional medicine and martial arts.

Regarding writing, 気 is composed of the radical for "rice" (米) simplified at the bottom and the radical for "vapor" (气) at the top. This combination reinforces the idea of something that cannot be seen but is present and influences the environment. To memorize it, a tip is to associate its form with the concept of "energy that circulates."

Ki in Japanese culture and philosophy

In Japan, 気 is not just a word, but a concept that permeates social interactions and worldviews. Expressions like 気を使う (ki o tsukau), which means "to pay attention to others' feelings," show how the Japanese value collective harmony. Ignoring someone's 気 can be considered impolite.

In addition, 気 is linked to practices such as 気功 (kikou, qigong) and 合気道 (aikidou), where it represents the flow of vital energy. Even in everyday conversations, saying 気にしないで (ki ni shinaide) – "don't worry" – reflects the importance of balancing emotions. Mastering these usages helps to understand not only the language but also Japanese culture.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 気質 (Kishitsu) - Temperament, innate character.
• 気分 (Kibun) - State of mind, mood.
• 気持ち (Kimochi) - Sensation, feeling, emotional state.
• 気力 (Kiryoku) - Willpower, mental energy.
• 気配 (Kihai) - Signs, presence.
• 気分屋 (Kibunya) - A person who changes mood easily.
• 気性 (Kisei) - Nature, personality temperament.
• 気合い (Kiai) - Determination, fighting spirit.
• 気分転換 (Kibuntenkan) - Change of mood, refresh the mind.
• 気分次第 (Kibun shidai) - Dependent on mood, variable according to the emotional state.
• 気分変化 (Kibun henka) - Mood variation.
• 気分高揚 (Kibun kōyō) - Elevation of mood, great joy.
• 気分爽快 (Kibun sōkai) - Feel refreshed and energized.
• 気分不安 (Kibun fuan) - Anxiety, nervousness.
• 気分落ち込む (Kibun ochikomu) - Feeling depressed.
• 気分悪い (Kibun warui) - Feeling unwell, malaise.
• 気分がいい (Kibun ga ii) - Feel good.
• 気分が乗る (Kibun ga noru) - Be excited, get into the spirit.
• 気分が沈む (Kibun ga shizumu) - Feeling sad or down.
• 気分が上がる (Kibun ga agaru) - To feel excited or uplifted.
• 気分が良い (Kibun ga yoi) - Feel good (variant of "気分がいい").
• 気分が悪い (Kibun ga warui) - Feel bad (variant of "気分悪い").
• 気分が変わる (Kibun ga kawaru) - Humor changes.
• 気分が高揚する (Kibun ga kōyō suru) - Increase joy or cheerfulness.
• 気分が爽快する (Kibun ga sōkai suru) - Feel a refresh of humor.

気

Romaji: ki
Kana: き
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: spirit; humor

Meaning in English: spirit;mood

Definition: Qi: The state of mind or emotions of a person.

Example Sentences - (気) ki

See below some example sentences:

乾燥した空気は肌に悪い影響を与えます。

Kansō shita kūki wa hada ni warui eikyō o ataemasu

Dry air can have a negative effect on the skin.

Dry air has a bad effect on the skin.

• 乾燥した - dry
• 空気 - I'm sorry, but there seems to be no text provided for translation. Please share the content you'd like translated from Portuguese to English.
• 肌 - pele
• 悪い - bad
• 影響 - influence
• 与えます - cause

何だか気持ちが落ち込む。

Nandaka kimochi ga ochikomu

Somehow

Somehow my feelings are depressed.

• 何だか - means "in some way" or "in some way".
• 気持ち - means "feeling" or "emotion".
• が - Subject particle.
• 落ち込む - means "to be depressed" or "to feel low."

冴えた空気が心地よいです。

Saeta kuuki ga kokochi yoi desu

The bright and crisp atmosphere is pleasant.

Clear air is comfortable.

• 冴えた (saeta) - clear, sharp
• 空気 (kuuki) - air, atmosphere
• 心地よい (kokochi yoi) - pleasant, comfortable
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

風邪をひかないように気をつけてください。

Fūta wo hikanai yō ni ki wo tsukete kudasai

Please be careful not to get a cold.

Be careful not to get a cold.

• 風邪 (kaze) - cold
• を (wo) - object particle
• ひかない (hikanai) - don't pick up
• ように (youni) - so that
• 気をつけて (kiwotsukete) - be careful
• ください (kudasai) - Please

馬鹿は自分が馬鹿であることに気づかない。

Baka wa jibun ga baka de aru koto ni kizukanai

A foolish person does not realize that he is a fool.

The idiot does not realize that he is stupid.

• 馬鹿 (baka) - fool, idiot
• 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 馬鹿 (baka) - fool, idiot
• である (dearu) - to be
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• に (ni) - Target particle
• 気づかない (kidzukanai) - do not realize

電気を消す。

Denki wo kesu

Turn off the light.

turn off the light.

• 電気 (denki) - electricity
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 消す (kesu) - Turn off

雰囲気が良いですね。

Fūinki ga yoi desu ne

The atmosphere is good

The atmosphere is good.

• 雰囲気 - atmosphere, climate
• が - subject particle
• 良い - good, pleasant
• です - Verb to be
• ね - particle of confirmation, agreement

陰気な天気が続いています。

Inki na tenki ga tsuzuite imasu

The mood is somber and melancholy.

The gloomy mood continues.

• 陰気な - adjective meaning "gloomy" or "melancholic"
• 天気 - noun meaning "weather" or "climate"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 続いています - verb meaning "continue" in the present tense and polite form

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"

鬱陶しい天気ですね。

Utsuodashii tenki desu ne

The weather is so boring.

It's irritating weather.

• 鬱陶しい - Japanese word meaning "depressing", "boring" or "annoying".
• 天気 - Japanese word meaning "time" or "climate".
• です - Japanese word that indicates the verb "to be" in the present tense.
• ね - Japanese particle that indicates a rhetorical question or confirmation.