気 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

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What does 気 mean in Japanese?

気 is one of the most important Japanese kanji. It can mean spirit, energy, mood, feeling, air, or atmosphere depending on the word. You will see 気 in many common expressions such as 元気 (healthy, energetic), 天気 (weather), 気持ち (feeling), and 人気 (popularity).

Because 気 has many meanings, it is best learned through common words rather than as a single English translation. The core idea is an invisible force or condition — something you can feel, sense, or notice.

Reading

On’yomi: キ (ki), ケ (ke)

Kun’yomi: —

Basic Information

Kanji 気
Meaning spirit, energy, mood, air
Stroke Count 6
JLPT Level N5

How to Understand This Kanji

気 is one of the most versatile kanji in Japanese. It can mean air (空気), mood (気分), notice (気づく), care (気をつける), and appears in dozens of expressions about mental and emotional states.

Common Words

  • 元気（げんき / genki） — healthy, energetic, in good spirits
  • 天気（てんき / tenki） — weather
  • 気分（きぶん / kibun） — feeling, mood
  • 人気（にんき / ninki） — popularity
  • 空気（くうき / kūki） — air, atmosphere
  • 気をつける（きをつける / ki o tsukeru） — to be careful, to take care

Example Sentences

  • 元気ですか？

    げんきですか？ / Genki desu ka?

    How are you? / Are you well?

  • 今日の天気はいいですね。

    きょうのてんきはいいですね。 / Kyō no tenki wa ii desu ne.

    The weather is nice today, isn’t it?

  • 気をつけて帰ってください。

    きをつけてかえってください。 / Ki o tsukete kaette kudasai.

    Please be careful on your way home.

Related Kanji

  • 天

    — 天気 (weather) pairs 天 and 気 — one of the most common beginner compounds

  • 心

    — Heart/mind — a close conceptual partner; both refer to inner states

  • 風

    — Wind/style — 風 (wind) and 気 (air/energy) share atmospheric associations

When Learners Usually See This Kanji

気 appears in countless everyday expressions. Learning phrases like 気をつけて (be careful), 気分 (mood), 元気 (healthy/energetic), and 天気 (weather) early on will make a large difference in your comprehension. For English speakers, the most important point is that 気 should not always be translated as “spirit” or “energy.” In 元気, it is close to personal energy or health; in 天気, it means weather; in 空気, it can mean air or atmosphere; and in 気をつける, it is closer to attention or awareness. Learning 気 through common words is more useful than trying to memorize one fixed English meaning.

Summary

気 means ‘spirit,’ ‘energy,’ or ‘feeling’ and is one of the most common kanji in daily Japanese, appearing in greetings and everyday expressions.

Want to compare kanji for power, energy, and inner feelings? See our guide to Japanese kanji for Power, Energy, and Feeling.