What Does Kimochi Mean in Japanese? 気持ち, Kimochi Warui & Real Usage

Hello, I’m Kodak.

If you have heard kimochi in anime, online videos, or Japanese media, you may have been told that it means “feels good.”

This article explains what kimochi actually means, why its English translation changes, and how to use it without accidentally sounding strange or rude.

What Does Kimochi (気持ち) Mean?

The best English translation depends on the sentence. There is no single English word that covers every use of 気持ち.

あなたの気持ちが分かります。
Anata no kimochi ga wakarimasu.
I understand how you feel.

今、どんな気持ち？
Ima, donna kimochi?
How do you feel right now?

冷たい風が気持ちいい。
Tsumetai kaze ga kimochi ii.
The cool breeze feels good.

これはほんの気持ちです。
Kore wa honno kimochi desu.
This is just a small token of my appreciation.

The Core Image of Kimochi: What You Feel Inside

気持ち can be divided into 気 and 持ち.

This breakdown is useful as a memory image. In modern Japanese, however, 気持ち functions as one established noun, so native speakers do not mentally rebuild it from the two parts every time they use it.

The Four Main Meanings of Kimochi

1. Kimochi as a Feeling or Emotion

This is the most important meaning for beginners.

彼の気持ちが分からない。
Kare no kimochi ga wakaranai.
I don’t understand how he feels.

自分の気持ちを正直に話した。
Jibun no kimochi o shōjiki ni hanashita.
I spoke honestly about my feelings.

うれしい気持ちになった。
Ureshii kimochi ni natta.
I felt happy.

2. Kimochi as a Physical Sensation

気持ち can also describe what your body senses.

この布は触ると気持ちいい。
Kono nuno wa sawaru to kimochi ii.
This fabric feels nice to touch.

背中を伸ばすと気持ちいい。
Senaka o nobasu to kimochi ii.
Stretching my back feels good.

食べ過ぎて気持ち悪い。
Tabesugite kimochi warui.
I feel sick because I ate too much.

3. Kimochi as a State of Mind or Attitude

The word can describe the mental position or attitude with which someone does something.

新しい気持ちで頑張ります。
Atarashii kimochi de ganbarimasu.
I’ll do my best with a fresh mindset.

軽い気持ちで始めた。
Karui kimochi de hajimeta.
I started it casually, without thinking too seriously.

感謝の気持ちを忘れないでください。
Kansha no kimochi o wasurenaide kudasai.
Please don’t forget the feeling of gratitude.

4. Kimochi as Thought, Goodwill, or a Small Token

In polite social situations, 気持ち can refer to the goodwill or intention behind a gift or action.

これはほんの気持ちです。
Kore wa honno kimochi desu.
This is just a small token of my appreciation.

お気持ちだけで十分です。
Okimochi dake de jūbun desu.
Your kind thought is more than enough.

Does Kimochi by Itself Mean “Feels Good”?

No. This is one of the most common misunderstandings among learners.

Because Japanese often omits words that are obvious from context, a character may occasionally say only 気持ち… or stretch the first part of a longer expression. However, learners should not treat 気持ち alone as a complete translation of “feels good.”

What Does Kimochi Ii (気持ちいい) Mean?

気持ちいい is a conversational form of 気持ちがいい or 気持ちよい. It can describe a pleasant physical sensation, comfortable weather, refreshing movement, or something that proceeds smoothly.

温泉は気持ちいい。
Onsen wa kimochi ii.
Hot springs feel great.

今日は風が気持ちいいね。
Kyō wa kaze ga kimochi ii ne.
The breeze feels nice today.

このソファ、すごく気持ちいい。
Kono sofa, sugoku kimochi ii.
This sofa is really comfortable.

運動した後のシャワーは気持ちいい。
Undō shita ato no shawā wa kimochi ii.
A shower after exercise feels great.

What Does Kimochi Warui (気持ち悪い) Mean?

1. Kimochi Warui for Feeling Sick

車に酔って気持ち悪い。
Kuruma ni yotte kimochi warui.
I feel sick from motion sickness.

食べ過ぎて気持ち悪くなった。
Tabesugite kimochi waruku natta.
I started feeling sick after eating too much.

2. Kimochi Warui for Something Gross or Unpleasant

この虫、気持ち悪い。
Kono mushi, kimochi warui.
This bug is gross.

床がぬるぬるして気持ち悪い。
Yuka ga nurunuru shite kimochi warui.
The floor feels slimy and unpleasant.

その音、なんだか気持ち悪い。
Sono oto, nandaka kimochi warui.
That sound feels somehow creepy or unpleasant.

3. Kimochi Warui for a Creepy Person or Situation

知らない人にずっと見られて、気持ち悪かった。
Shiranai hito ni zutto mirarete, kimochi warukatta.
A stranger kept staring at me, and it felt creepy.

4. Kimochi Warui for an Unresolved or “Off” Feeling

The expression can also describe mental discomfort when something does not feel complete, balanced, or correct.

答えが合わないままだと気持ち悪い。
Kotae ga awanai mama da to kimochi warui.
It bothers me when the answer still doesn’t match.

名前が思い出せなくて気持ち悪い。
Namae ga omoidasenakute kimochi warui.
It feels unsettling that I can’t remember the name.

Kimochi Warui vs Kimoi: What Is the Difference?

きもい (kimoi) is a slang shortening of 気持ち悪い.

このにおい、気持ち悪い。
Kono nioi, kimochi warui.
This smell is making me feel sick / This smell is unpleasant.

あの動き、キモい。
Ano ugoki, kimoi.
That movement is gross or creepy.

Kimochi vs Kibun: What Is the Difference?

気持ち (kimochi) and 気分 (kibun) can both be translated as “feeling,” but they are not always interchangeable.

Kimochi vs Kanjō: Feeling vs Emotion

感情 (kanjō) is the more formal or analytical word for emotion.

自分の気持ちを伝える。
Jibun no kimochi o tsutaeru.
Express one’s feelings.

感情をコントロールする。
Kanjō o kontorōru suru.
Control one’s emotions.

Related guide: How to Express Feelings in Japanese

How to Pronounce Kimochi

Pronounce the three parts evenly: ki-mo-chi. Avoid stretching the vowels into the English-like sound “kee-moh-chee.” Japanese き, も, and ち are normally short unless a long vowel is specifically written.

How to Write Kimochi in Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana

気持ち is the standard spelling in ordinary adult writing. きもち is also correct and may appear in children’s materials, soft writing styles, or when a writer wants a gentler visual impression. キモチ is mainly stylistic.

Useful Grammar Patterns with Kimochi

1. ～の気持ち: The Feeling of… / Feelings Toward…

感謝の気持ち
Kansha no kimochi
a feeling of gratitude

彼への気持ち
Kare e no kimochi
my feelings toward him

子どもの気持ち
Kodomo no kimochi
a child’s feelings

2. 気持ちが分かる: Understand How Someone Feels

その気持ち、分かるよ。
Sono kimochi, wakaru yo.
I know how you feel.

3. 気持ちを伝える: Express or Communicate Your Feelings

言葉で気持ちを伝えるのは難しい。
Kotoba de kimochi o tsutaeru no wa muzukashii.
It is difficult to express feelings in words.

4. ～気持ちになる: Come to Feel…

悲しい気持ちになった。
Kanashii kimochi ni natta.
I became sad / I felt sad.

5. ～という気持ち: The Feeling That…

もう一度挑戦したいという気持ちがあります。
Mō ichido chōsen shitai to iu kimochi ga arimasu.
I have a desire to try again.

6. 気持ちで: With an Attitude or Mindset

初心者の気持ちで学び直します。
Shoshinsha no kimochi de manabinaoshimasu.
I will learn it again with a beginner’s mindset.

A Less Common Meaning: Kimochi as “A Little”

In casual instructions, 気持ち can sometimes be used adverbially to mean “a little” or “just slightly.”

気持ち、右に寄ってください。
Kimochi, migi ni yotte kudasai.
Please move just a little to the right.

How Kimochi Is Used in Anime and Manga

Anime and manga often use short sentences because the situation already makes the subject clear.

Common Beginner Mistakes with Kimochi

Mistake 1: Using Kimochi Alone to Mean “Feels Good”

Mistake 2: Assuming Kimochi Ii Is Always Intimate

The phrase is common in ordinary situations. Context decides the meaning.

Mistake 3: Using Kimoi Casually About a Person

きもい can be strongly insulting. Learn it first as a recognition word rather than a phrase to use freely.

Mistake 4: Translating Every Kimochi as “Emotion”

Sometimes sensation, mood, intention, thought, or how someone feels is more natural.

Mistake 5: Confusing Kimochi Warui with Kimi Warui

この虫は気持ち悪い。
This bug is gross.

誰もいないのに声がして、気味が悪い。
A voice came from the empty room, and it was eerie.

Natural Example Sentences with Kimochi

今の気持ちを言葉にできない。
Ima no kimochi o kotoba ni dekinai.
I can’t put my current feelings into words.

あなたの気持ちはよく分かります。
Anata no kimochi wa yoku wakarimasu.
I understand how you feel.

彼に自分の気持ちを伝えた。
Kare ni jibun no kimochi o tsutaeta.
I told him how I felt.

合格して、うれしい気持ちでいっぱいです。
Gōkaku shite, ureshii kimochi de ippai desu.
I’m filled with happiness after passing.

海辺を歩くと気持ちが落ち着く。
Umibe o aruku to kimochi ga ochitsuku.
Walking by the sea calms me down.

この枕は柔らかくて気持ちいい。
Kono makura wa yawarakakute kimochi ii.
This pillow is soft and comfortable.

朝の空気が気持ちいい。
Asa no kūki ga kimochi ii.
The morning air feels refreshing.

少し気持ち悪いので、休みます。
Sukoshi kimochi warui node, yasumimasu.
I feel a little sick, so I’m going to rest.

その映像はリアルすぎて気持ち悪かった。
Sono eizō wa riaru sugite kimochi warukatta.
The footage was so realistic that it was disturbing.

彼女の気持ちを傷つけてしまった。
Kanojo no kimochi o kizutsukete shimatta.
I ended up hurting her feelings.

新たな気持ちで仕事を始めた。
Arata na kimochi de shigoto o hajimeta.
I started work with a renewed mindset.

プレゼントより、その気持ちがうれしい。
Purezento yori, sono kimochi ga ureshii.
More than the gift itself, I’m happy about the thought behind it.

FAQ About Kimochi

What does kimochi mean in English?

Kimochi (気持ち) usually means “feeling,” “feelings,” “sensation,” “state of mind,” or “intention.” The best translation depends on context.

Does kimochi mean “feels good”?

Not by itself. 気持ち is a noun meaning “feeling” or “sensation.” 気持ちいい means “feels good.”

What does kimochi warui mean?

気持ち悪い can mean “I feel sick,” “gross,” “disgusting,” “creepy,” or “unpleasant.” The intended meaning depends on whether the speaker is describing their body, an object, a person, or a situation.

What does kimochi ii mean?

気持ちいい means “feels good,” “pleasant,” “comfortable,” or “refreshing.” It is used for ordinary experiences such as a bath, breeze, massage, stretch, or comfortable bed.

Is kimochi a sexual word?

No. 気持ち is a normal everyday noun, and 気持ちいい describes any pleasant sensation. An intimate meaning is possible only when the surrounding context creates it.

What is the difference between kimochi and kimoi?

気持ち means “feeling” or “sensation.” きもい is slang shortened from 気持ち悪い and means “gross” or “creepy.”

Is kimoi rude?

Yes, it can be rude, especially when directed at a person. Beginners should be cautious about using it.

What is the difference between kimochi and kibun?

気持ち often describes a specific feeling, sensation, or intention. 気分 usually describes a broader mood or general mental or physical condition.

How do you write kimochi in Japanese?

The standard spelling is 気持ち. It can also be written in hiragana as きもち or stylistically in katakana as キモチ.

How do you ask “How do you feel?” in Japanese?

In an emotional context, you can ask どんな気持ち？ (“How do you feel?”). For someone’s physical condition, 気分はどう？ may be more appropriate.

Summary: Kimochi, Kimochi Ii, and Kimochi Warui

References

• Kotobank: 気持 — meanings including emotional state, physical sensation, and the adverbial sense “slightly.”
• Kotobank Progressive Japanese–English Dictionary: 気持ち — English equivalents and usage examples.
• Kotobank: 気持ち好い／気持ち良い.
• Kotobank: 気持ち悪い.
• Kotobank: きもい.
• Kotobank: 気分.
• Kanjipedia: 気.
• Kanjipedia: 持.