Japanese word

陰気

Pronunciation

Romajiinki

Meaning

  • na-adjectivegloomy

Example

この部屋は陰気な感じがします。ko no heya wa in ki na kan ji ga shi ma su

This room feels gloomy.

Illustration for 陰気 (gloomy)

More examples

窓のない廊下は、昼間でも陰気です。mado no na i rō ka wa hiru ma de mo in ki de su

The hallway without windows feels gloomy even during the day.

Core concept

Describes a lack of brightness and emotional liveliness that makes a person, place, or atmosphere feel heavy.

Common phrases

  • 陰気な人in ki na hito

    a gloomy person

  • 陰気な雰囲気in ki na fun i ki

    a gloomy atmosphere

  • 陰気な性格in ki na sei kaku

    a gloomy personality

  • 陰気な場所in ki na ba sho

    a gloomy place

Similar words

陰鬱inutsu: Describes a dark, heavy mood in a person, place, or atmosphere.
憂鬱yūutsu: Describes a mood weighed down by sadness or personal worry.
沈鬱chinutsu: Describes a subdued mood that has little energy or liveliness.

Definition in Japanese

明るさや活気がなく、重苦しい感じがするさま。aka ru sa ya kak ki ga na ku omo kuru shi i kan ji ga su ru sa ma

Word origin

陰 (in, "shade") + 気 (ki, "air; spirit") forms a Sino-Japanese word for an atmosphere or manner marked by darkness and low liveliness.

Usage tips

  • 陰気 (inki) can describe a room or atmosphere as well as a person, so it often refers to the mood created by a setting rather than to sadness alone.

Other meanings

  • dismalna-adjective
  • melancholyna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 陰気さinkisagloominessnoun
  • 陰気臭いinkikusaigloomyi-adjective

Word lists with this word