気

音読おんよみ: キ、ケ

訓読くんよみ: いき

画数かくすう: 6 strokes

部首ぶしゅ: 气(き / air)

Meaning

Spirit; energy; air; mood


  • 気温きおん — temperature
  • 気圧きあつ — atmospheric pressure
  • 気楽きらく — carefree, easygoing
  • 気持きもち — feeling
  • 気配けはい — presence, sign
  • 元気げんき — healthy, energetic

The character “気” originally represents steam or vapor rising — a symbol of energy, breath, or atmosphere. It appears in many common phrases and plays a big role in describing emotions or unseen forces in daily life.

わたし元気げんきです。
I’m feeling fine.

かれ気配けはいしていました。
He hid his presence.

This kanji is usually read as “ki,” as in common words like kion (temperature), kimochi (feeling), or genki (fine, healthy). Occasionally, it’s read as “ke,” such as in kehai (sign, presence). It’s rarely read using kun-yomi.

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