awkward; uncomfortable; constrained
Describes a social atmosphere or personal feeling of tension, stiffness, or discomfort, often due to formality, unfamiliarity, or an inability to relax.
With only people I was meeting for the first time, it was really awkward.
An uncomfortable silence continued.
気楽 describes feeling relaxed and free of pressure, while 気詰まり describes feeling awkward, tense, or constrained in a social situation.
Standard kanji spelling.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling, common in everyday writing.
Variant with simplified okurigana.
Compound of 気 (ki, 'spirit, mood') and 詰まり (tsumari, 'blockage, congestion'), from the verb 詰まる (tsumaru, 'to be blocked'). Literally 'blocked mood', referring to a feeling of being unable to relax or speak freely.