Japanese word

気質

Pronunciation

Romajikishitsu

Meaning

  • nountemperament

Example

彼は生まれつき穏やかな気質です。kare wa u ma re tsu ki oda ya ka na ki shitsu de su

He has a calm temperament by nature.

Illustration for 気質 (temperament)

More examples

相手の気質を理解すると、より円滑に話し合えます。ai te no ki shitsu o ri kai su ru to yo ri en katsu ni hana shi a e ma su

When you understand the other person's temperament, discussions can go more smoothly.

Core concept

Describes the inborn pattern of emotional response and behavior that gives a person a characteristic disposition.

Common phrases

  • 気質を理解するki shitsu o ri kai su ru

    understand someone's temperament

  • 気質に合うki shitsu ni a u

    suit someone's temperament

Similar words

気性kishō: A person's natural emotional disposition, including the way feelings are expressed and controlled.
性格seikaku: The combination of qualities and tendencies that forms a person's general way of thinking and acting.
人柄hitogara: The qualities of a person as they appear through everyday behavior and relationships.

Definition in Japanese

生まれつきの性格や感情の傾向。u ma re tsu ki no sei kaku ya kan jō no kei kō

Word origin

気質 (kishitsu) combines 気 (ki, "spirit") and 質 (shitsu, "quality"), forming a compound for a person's inborn mental disposition.

Usage tips

  • In English, temperament usually points to habitual emotional responses, while character more often includes qualities shaped by choices and conduct.

Other meanings

  • characternoun
  • naturenoun

Word lists with this word