JLPT · Level 34
75 words
Japanese word
気まぐれ
Pronunciation
Romajikimagure
Meaning
- nounwhim
Example
彼の気まぐれには困っています。kare no ki ma gu re ni wa koma tte i ma su
His whims are causing me trouble.
More examples
彼女は気まぐれで予定を変えます。kano jo wa ki ma gu re de yo tei o ka e ma su
She changes her plans on a whim.
Core concept
Describes a changeable feeling that leads to an unplanned choice or action.
Common phrases
人の気まぐれhito no ki ma gu re
people's whims
気まぐれに決めるki ma gu re ni ki me ru
decide on a whim
気まぐれに左右されるki ma gu re ni sa yū sa re ru
be swayed by whims
Similar words
思いつきomoitsuki: A sudden idea that leads to a choice or action without careful planning.
移り気utsurigi: A changeable nature that causes feelings or interests to shift easily.
衝動shōdō: A powerful urge that prompts immediate action.
Definition in Japanese
気分が変わりやすい性質や、その時々の思いつきで行う行動。ki bun ga ka wa ri ya su i sei shitsu ya so no toki doki no omo i tsu ki de okona u kō dō
Word origin
The noun 気まぐれ (kimagure) combines 気 (ki, "feeling") with 紛れ (magure, "diversion or distraction"), a noun related to 紛れる (magireru, "to be diverted").
Usage tips
- English speakers often use whim for one sudden choice, while 気まぐれ (kimagure) also commonly describes a person's changeable nature, a sense close to fickleness.
Other meanings
- ficklenessnoun
Opposites
- 一貫性ikkanseiconsistencynoun
Related words
- 気まぐれさkimaguresaficklenessnoun
- 気まぐれ者kimaguremonofickle personnoun