Japanese Conversation · Level 119
60 words
Japanese word
気配
Pronunciation
Romajikehai
Meaning
- nounpresence
Example
誰かの気配を感じます。dare ka no ke hai o kan ji ma su
I sense someone's presence.
More examples
夜になると、庭から猫の気配がします。yoru ni na ru to niwa ka ra neko no ke hai ga shi ma su
At night, I sense the presence of a cat in the yard.
Core concept
Refers to the faint sense of someone or something being present, or to a subtle indication that an event is developing.
Common phrases
気配がするke hai ga su ru
sense a presence
気配を感じるke hai o kan ji ru
sense a presence
気配を消すke hai o ke su
conceal one's presence
Similar words
存在sonzai: The fact that a person or thing is in a particular place at a given time.
Definition in Japanese
目には見えなくても、人や物が存在することや何かが起こることを感じさせる様子。me ni wa mi e na ku te mo hito ya mono ga son zai su ru ko to ya nan ka ga o ko ru ko to o kan ji sa se ru yō su
Word origin
気配 (kehai, "presence or sign") is a native Japanese word historically written as けはひ (kehai), but its exact historical development is uncertain.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 気配 (kehai) often refers to a person's presence when footsteps, movement, or another small clue reveals that someone is nearby.
Other meanings
- signnoun