能のう天てん気き

also: ノーてんき

の

う

て

ん

き

Meanings

na-adjective, noun

carefree; easygoing; happy-go-lucky; thoughtless

Describes a person who is unconcerned, optimistic, or not worrying about details; can be positive (laid-back) or mildly negative (thoughtless, oblivious). Often used in casual conversation.

彼かれは能のう天てん気きで、いつも笑わらっている。
He's so carefree, always smiling.
あの能のう天てん気きな態たい度どには腹はらが立たつ。
That happy-go-lucky attitude annoys me.

See all 5 example sentences ›

Kanji

能ability, talent, skill
天heavens, sky, imperial
気spirit, mind, air
脳brain, memory
転revolve, turn around, change

Related words

楽らく天てん的てき
楽天的 is more formal and emphasizes an optimistic outlook, while 能天気 is casual and can imply a lack of seriousness or awareness.
のんき
のんき is similar in meaning (easygoing, carefree) but is more neutral and less likely to carry a negative nuance of thoughtlessness.

Built from

能のう+天てん気き

Written forms

能のう天てん気きUsage43%
Most common kanji spelling.
脳のう天てん気きUsage36%
Rare variant using 脳 (brain).
ノーテンキUsage19%
能のう転てん気きUsage2%
Alternate kanji spelling; less common.
ノー天てん気き
Rare mixed katakana-kanji spelling.
ノーてんき

Etymology

The exact origin is uncertain. It may be a playful combination of 能 (ability) or 脳 (brain) with 天気 (weather), suggesting a 'fair-weather mind' or a carefree disposition. The spelling 能転気 possibly reflects a pun on 転 (turn, change).