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意気 (いき, iki) Japanese meaning: spirit | Kotomora
じ 字 Furigana
Expressions 意い 気き が 揚あ がる be in high spirits; be elated; be buoyant 意い 気き に 感かん じる be moved by someone's spirit; be inspired by someone's mettle 意い 気き に 燃も える be fired up with enthusiasm; burn with zeal 意い 気き 天てん を 衝つ く be in high spirits; be full of fighting spirit Related words 気力 emphasizes raw mental energy or willpower to keep going, while 意気 refers more broadly to one's morale or spirited disposition.
士気 is used specifically for the collective morale of a group (like soldiers or a team), whereas 意気 can describe an individual's spirit as well.
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に
し
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Moved by his spirit, I decided to cooperate as well.
The team's morale is low.
We clicked with each other from the moment we first met.
意い 気き を 示しめ す to show one's spirit/resolve
The players showed their fighting spirit before the match.
意い 気き を 挫くじ く to dampen someone's spirits/morale
The harsh criticism dampened his spirits.
気概 highlights a strong, unyielding backbone or mettle in the face of difficulty, while 意気 is a more neutral word for spirit or morale.
気合 conveys a burst of focused energy or fighting spirit for a specific moment, while 意気 describes a more general state of morale or disposition.
Don't confuse with 意気地 (いくじ) means willpower or guts to see something through and is a distinct word from 意気 (いき), despite sharing the first kanji.
息 (breath) and 意気 (spirit, morale) are pronounced identically but refer to completely different things.
Word family· 14 impertinent; cheeky; cocky
enthusiasm; ardor; eagerness
hit it off; find a kindred spirit; mutual understanding
spirit; determination; mettle
triumphant; exultant; in high spirits
Show 9 more be enthusiastic; be eager; be determined
vulgar; unrefined; crass
eagerness; keenness; enthusiasm
low spirits; dejection; discouragement
Written forms 意い 気き Usage 93%
Standard modern kanji spelling.
いき Usage 7%
イキ Usage <1%
Etymology Composed of 意 (mind, thought) and 気 (spirit, energy). The combination has been used in classical Chinese and was adopted into Japanese to express one's mental and emotional state.
in high spirits; full of vigor; spirited
in high spirits; exuberant; soaring morale
in high spirits; elated; exuberant
depressed; disheartened; lacking nerve
aggressiveness; combativeness; fighting spirit