Japanese word

のんき

Pronunciation

Romajinonki

Meaning

  • na-adjectivecarefree

Example

彼はいつものんきです。kare wa i tsu mo no n ki de su

He is always carefree.

Illustration for のんき (carefree)

More examples

締め切りが近いのに、彼はのんきな顔でお茶を飲んでいます。shi me ki ri ga chika i no ni kare wa no n ki na kao de o cha o no n de i ma su

Even with the deadline approaching, he is drinking tea with a carefree expression.

Core concept

Describes a relaxed attitude that stays free from worry, sometimes to the point of seeming unconcerned about what needs attention.

Common phrases

  • のんきな人no n ki na hito

    carefree person

  • のんきに構えるno n ki ni kama e ru

    take a carefree attitude

  • のんきな考えno n ki na kanga e

    carefree way of thinking

Similar words

のんびりnonbiri: Describes a relaxed manner without hurry, tension, or worry.
気楽kiraku: Describes a comfortable state in which a person feels little mental burden.
楽観的rakkanteki: Describes a tendency to view situations and their outcomes positively.
無頓着mutonchaku: Describes an attitude of not caring much about a person, matter, or detail.

Definition in Japanese

心配や緊張にとらわれず、ゆったりしているさま。転じて、事態を深く考えず気軽すぎるさま。shin pai ya kin chō ni to ra wa re zu yu tta ri shi te i ru sa ma ten ji te ji tai o fuka ku kanga e zu ki garu su gi ru sa ma

Word origin

The origin of のんき (nonki) is uncertain; it is conventionally written as 呑気 (nonki) or 暢気 (nonki), so these kanji do not provide a confirmed literal etymology.

Usage tips

  • のんき (nonki) can sound approving when it describes a relaxed person, but it can also criticize someone who ignores an urgent situation.

Other meanings

  • easygoingna-adjective
  • carelessna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • のんきさnonkisacarefree naturenoun

Word lists with this word