expression, adverb
unintentionally; casually; without thinking
Describes doing something without particular intent, casually, or as if it were nothing. Often used when someone acts or speaks in a relaxed, offhand manner.
何の気なしに言った言葉が彼を傷つけてしまった。
A remark I made casually ended up hurting him.
彼は何の気なしに窓の外を眺めていた。
He was gazing out the window without any particular thought.
Very similar in meaning and often interchangeable. 何の気なしに can sound slightly more deliberate or literary, while 何気なく is more common in everyday speech.
Phrase composed of 何の (what kind of) + 気 (spirit, mind) + なし (without) + に (adverbial particle). Literally 'without any particular mind/intention'.