気
spirit · mind · air · atmosphere · mood
Details
Description
Spirit - steam rising from cooking rice. Life energy, mood and the invisible atmosphere of a place.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of '气' (vapor) and '米' (rice). Steam rising from rice - life energy.
Symbolism
Vitality, atmosphere, spirit. Expresses Japanese spirituality in words like 'vigor' and 'energy'.
Spiritual Meaning
Life energy in Eastern thought. "Qigong" and "Aikido" are training systems that regulate ki flow, aiming for mind-body harmony.
Component Breakdown
steam + 㐅
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
意気軒昂
いきけんこう
in high spirits; elated
意気消沈
いきしょうちん
low spirits; depression; dejection
意気阻喪
いきそそう
depressed in spirits; rejection; disheartened
意気投合
いきとうごう
hit it off with (a person); find a kindred spirit in (a person); sympathy
一気呵成
いっきかせい
finishing writing, work, etc. at a stroke (stretch); knocking something off without a break
気炎万丈
きえんばんじょう
in high spirits; talking big
気息奄々
きそくえんえん
gasping for breath; at one's last gasp; breathing feebly
才気縦横
さいきじゅうおう
great wisdom
才気煥発
さいきかんぱつ
quick-witted; a flash of brilliance; great wisdom
少壮気鋭
しょうそうきえい
young and energetic; up-and-coming
新進気鋭
しんしんきえい
young and energetic; up-and-coming
和気藹々
わきあいあい
harmonious; peaceful; congenial
意気揚々
いきようよう
triumphant; exultant; in high and proud spirits
意気衝天
いきしょうてん
in high spirits
気宇壮大
きうそうだい
magnanimous in one's attitude of mind; grand in one's idea or mind-set
勇気凛凛
ゆうきりんりん
full of spirit; brimming with courage; high-spirited
気骨稜々
きこつりょうりょう
(a person with) strong moral fiber (backbone, determination)
雄気堂々
ゆうきどうどう
with heroic drive and boundless energy
気韻生動
きいんせいどう
being animated (vivid) with grace (elegance, refinement)
機嫌気褄
きげんきづま
humour; humor; temper
虚心平気
きょしんへいき
with an open and calm mind; without reserve; with utmost candor
元気溌剌
げんきはつらつ
full of energy; full of liveliness; full of pep
士気高揚
しきこうよう
raising morale; lifting of morale
人気稼業
にんきかぎょう
popular occupation; occupation largely dependent on public favor
法界悋気
ほうかいりんき
being jealous of things that have nothing to do with one; being jealous of others who are in love with each other
士気阻喪
しきそそう
demoralization; collapse of morale; one's morale being shaken
Anime & Manga
無職転生 ～異世界行ったら本気だす～
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
A well-known work with 気 in its Japanese title.
天気の子
Weathering With You
A well-known work with 気 in its Japanese title.
無職転生Ⅱ ～異世界行ったら本気だす～
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2
A well-known work with 気 in its Japanese title.
無職転生Ⅲ ～異世界行ったら本気だす～
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3
A well-known work with 気 in its Japanese title.
転生したら第七王子だったので、気ままに魔術を極めます
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability
A well-known work with 気 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 気 mean in Japanese?
気 means spirit, mind, air, atmosphere, mood. Spirit - steam rising from cooking rice. Life energy, mood and the invisible atmosphere of a place.
How do you read 気?
On'yomi: キ、ケ (KI, KE). Kun'yomi: いき、き (iki, ki).
How many strokes does 気 have?
気 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 气 (steam).
Is 気 a good kanji for a tattoo?
気 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means spirit, mind, air, atmosphere, mood. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:spirit · mind · air · atmosphere