The meaning of kimochi (気持ち) in Japanese and how to use it

This article will give you all of the knowledge you need on the Japanese word kimochi, including its Japanese definition and translation, example sentences, alternative expressions, and more!

Contents

What does kimochi mean?

The Japanese word kimochi (気持ち、きもち）means feeling or sensation. When together with an adjective, kimochi can often be translated in English as I feel. The related expression kimochi ii (気持ちいい) means I feel good – literally, a good feeling. The extra ii gives it a drawn out “E” sound.

WARNING: Mature/NSFW content
Certain parts of this post are intended for a mature audience and may not be suitable for minors.

OK with that out the way, let’s cut to the chase. If you are searching for this term, then you have probably heard kimochi ii before in certain forms of Japanese entertainment, but it’s very much a normal term used between lovers in Japan.

Kimochi ii is often used to show pleasure or enjoyment during sex, meaning something like oh yeah or that’s so good. Just to be clear, kimochi ii is NOT a dirty word. Sex is a part of life and Kimochi ii is a beautiful, sensual Japanese expression that shows you are enjoying a special moment with (hopefully) a special person.

Below are some examples of how to use it between the covers.

Kimochi ii = I feel good (sexual)

あ、気持ちいい。やばい！
A, kimochi ii. Yabai!
Ah, that feels so good! Oh my!

あ～気持ちいい。あ、イク！
Aa, kimochi ii. A, iku!
Ohh..oh yeah. Oh, I’m going to come!

気持ちいいよ。お願い、やめないで！
Kimochi ii yo. Onegai, yamenai de!
That feels good. Please don’t stop!

君とは最高！すごく気持ちいいよ。
Kimi to wa saikou. Sugoku kimochi ii yo.
It’s so great with you. It feels so good.

すごい。超気持ちよかった！
Sugoi. Chou kimochi yokatta!
Wow. That felt so good!

Kimochi ii = I feel good (non-sexual)

With that last part out of the way (phew!), let’s look at the other ways to use kimochi ii outside of the bedroom. In this context, you might translate it as pleasant or feels nice.

朝の散歩は気持ちいい。
Asa no sanpo wa kimochi ii.
あさのさんぽはきもちいい。
Morning walks are pleasant.

今日の風は気持ちいいですね。
Kyou no kaze wa kimochi ii desu ne.
きょうのかぜはきもちいいですね。
Today’s breeze feels nice, doesn’t it?

秋の天気はとても気持ちいい。
Aki no tenki wa totemo kimochi ii.
あきのてんきはとてもきもちいい。
The autumn weather feels nice.

いつも掃除を終わらせると気持ちいいです。
Itsumo souji wo owaraseru to kimochi ii desu.
いつもそうじをおわらせるときもちいいです。
I always feel good when I finish cleaning.

Kimochi ii or kimuchi?

Kimuchi or sounds a bit similar to kimochi (or maybe it’s just me?), but its meaning is totally different. Kimuchi (キムチ), spelled kimchi in English, is a type of fermented cabbage that is a staple of Korean food.

In my first year in Japan, I didn’t know the difference between the two. I was innocently ordering kimochi ii chahan, or feel-good fried rice, much to the amusement of waitresses everywhere! A friend eventually broke it to me ;(.

Kimochi = A feeling

Below, I share some other ways that you can use kimochi (without the extra ii) to express a number of different feelings.

怖い気持ちになった。
Kowai kimochi ni natta.
こわいきもちになった。
A scary feeling came over me.

今はちょっと変な気持ちです。
Ima wa chotto hen na kimochi desu.
いまはちょっとへんなきもちです。
I feel a bit strange now.

正直な気持ちを教えて。
Shoujiki na kimochi wo oshiete.
しょうじきなきもちをおしえて。
Tell me your honest feelings about it.

感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。
Kansha no kimochi de ippai desu.
かんしゃのきもちでいっぱいです。
I feel so thankful.

Kimochi warui = I feel bad

Kimochi warui (気持ち悪い、きもちわるい) means I feel bad. You can use kimochi warui when you are feeling sick, like when you want to vomit. When talking about another person, a kimochi warui hito (気持ち悪い人) is someone who is gross or creepy.

気持ち悪い。吐きそう！
Kimochi warui. Hakisou!
きもちわるい。はきそう！
I feel bad. I might vomit!

前の上司、少し気持ち悪い人だった。
Mae no jyoushi, sukoshi kimochi warui hito datta.
まえのじょうし、すこしきもちわるいひとだった。
My old boss was a little bit gross.

電車で気持ち悪いおじさんがいた。
Densha de kimochi warui ojisan ga ita.
でんしゃできもちわるいおじさんがいた。
There was a creepy older guy on the train.

Kimoi: = Gross, disgusting

Kimoi (キモイ) is a slang word meaning gross or disgusting. It is the shortened form of kimochi warui. Although the meaning is similar, you can’t use kimoi to say you feel sick. Instead, it’s a fairly insulting word that you use to trash talk other people.

For example, younger women often use kimoi to say that a guy is creepy, dorky, or a loser. Alternatively, it might just mean something like eww in response to something their boyfriend is doing.

This is an offensive word that will anger people (if it’s about them) so use it carefully! Girls, make sure you’re out of earshot when you use this. Guys…well, don’t be kimoi!

あのさ、今日キモイ人に声かけられた。
Ano sa, kyou kimoi hito ni koe kakerareta.
あのさ、きょうきもいひとにこえかけられた。
You know what? This creepy dude tried to talk to me today.

え、キモイ！やめて！
E, kimoi! Yamete!
Eww. Stop it!

Kimochi wa wakaru: I know you how feel

Kimochi wa wakaru (気持ちは分かる、きもちはわかる) means I know how you feel. Wakaru (分かる、わかる) is the verb for to know.

While this expression does show some empathy, it tends to be followed by a “but” that kind of discounts what came before!

ごめん。気持ちはわかるけど、俺には無理だ。
Gomen. Kimochi wa wakaru kedo, ore ni wa muri da.
ごめん。きもちはわかるけど、おれにはむりだ。
Sorry. I understand how you feel, but I can’t do it. (male casual)

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Rohan

Rohan is a professional Japanese translator and the author behind Tanukiki.com, a blog that offers Japanese language tips and insights on life in Japan.

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