Translation guide
The English word 'mood' covers a range of concepts from emotional state to atmosphere and grammatical modality. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
I'm in a good mood.
The restaurant has a nice atmosphere.
Describing how someone feels at a particular time, often temporary.
Refers to one's current emotional or physical state. Commonly used for temporary feelings.
I'm in a good mood today.
Often used to describe someone's mood as perceived by others, especially in social contexts. Can be used in phrases like 'good mood' or 'bad mood'.
A broader term for feelings, sensations, or mood. Can overlap with 気分 but is more general.
Describing the feeling or ambiance of an environment, event, or piece of art.
Referring to verb forms that express modality, such as indicative, subjunctive, imperative.
The technical term for grammatical mood in linguistics.
Expressing whether one feels like doing something or not.
Used to say 'in the mood to do something'.
I'm not feeling well, so I'm going home.
He is in a good mood.
to hurt someone's feelings / put someone in a bad mood
I feel restless / uneasy.
The most common word for atmosphere or mood of a place, situation, or person.
This restaurant has a nice atmosphere.
The mood became awkward.
Loanword from English, often used for a romantic or stylish atmosphere, or in set phrases like 'mood music'.
a restaurant with a romantic atmosphere
Literally 'air', but often used metaphorically for the mood or atmosphere of a group, especially in phrases like 'read the air'.
to read the room / sense the mood
仮定法
subjunctive mood
imperative mood
Sometimes used in linguistic contexts as a loanword, but 法 is more standard.
grammatical forms that express mood
I'm not in the mood to watch a movie.
I feel like taking a walk.
More about willingness or intention than mood, but can overlap.
I don't feel motivated / I'm not in the mood to do it.
He/She is in a bad mood (and showing it).
I feel grossed out / it's creepy.
English 'mood' is often used in phrases like 'mood lighting' or 'mood music', which are translated with ムード (mūdo) or 雰囲気 (fun'iki), not 気分. Also, 'I'm in a mood' (meaning irritable) doesn't have a direct equivalent; you might say 機嫌が悪い or イライラしている.