Japanese word

気にする

Pronunciation

Romajikinisuru

Meaning

  • verbcare about

Example

私はみんなの目を気にします。watashi wa mi n na no me o ki ni shi ma su

I care what everyone thinks.

Illustration for 気にする (care about)

More examples

試合の前は体調を気にします。shi ai no mae wa tai chō o ki ni shi ma su

Before a game, I pay attention to my physical condition.

Core concept

It shows that a matter enters the mind as something worth noticing, valuing, or worrying about.

Common phrases

  • 細かいことを気にするkoma ka i ko to o ki ni su ru

    worry about small things

  • 健康を気にするken kō o ki ni su ru

    care about one's health

Similar words

心配するshinpaisuru: To feel worried about a person, thing, or possible problem.
意識するishikisuru: To keep something in mind and remain aware of it.
重視するjūshisuru: To regard something as important when making decisions or judgments.
配慮するhairyosuru: To consider another person's needs or feelings when acting.

Definition in Japanese

ある事柄を重要な問題として心にかけ、注意を向ける。a ru koto gara o jū yō na mon dai to shi te kokoro ni ka ke chū i o mu ke ru

Word origin

The phrase 気にする (ki ni suru, "to mind or worry about") is formed from 気 (ki, "mind"), the particle に (ni), and する (suru, "to make"), meaning to make something a concern of the mind.

Usage tips

  • The expression 気にする (ki ni suru) can cover both worrying about a matter and paying attention to it, so care about is not its only English equivalent.

Other meanings

  • mindverb
  • worryverb
  • pay attention toverb

Opposites

  • 無頓着mutonchakuindifferentna-adjective

Word lists with this word