心こころなしか

こ

ろ

な

し

か

Meanings

1

expression

somehow; somewhat; seemingly

Expresses a vague, subjective impression that something seems a certain way, often without clear evidence. Used adverbially at the beginning of a clause.

心こころなしか

、

今日きょう

は

いつも

より

静しず

か

だ

。

Somehow, it seems quieter than usual today.

心こころなしか、彼かれの顔かお色いろが悪わるいように見みえる。

He looks somewhat pale, or so it seems to me.

Kanji

心heart, mind, spirit
成turn into, become, get
做make

Related words

なんとなく
なんとなく is more about doing something without a clear reason or just because, while 心なしか focuses on a vague perception or impression.
気きのせいか
気のせいか explicitly suggests it might be one's imagination, whereas 心なしか is softer and simply notes a subtle feeling.

Written forms

心こころなしか
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
心こころ成なしか
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the kanji 成 suggests 'become' or 'turn out'.
心こころ做なしか
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the kanji 做 means 'do' or 'make'.

Etymology

Formed from 心做し, “one’s impression or feeling,” and the particle か. The phrase presents something as a subjective or uncertain impression.