気を遣う

• 読み: きをつかう
• ローマ字: ki wo tsukau
• 漢字の分解: 気 (spirit/energy) + 遣う (to use/employ) → to use mental energy on behalf of others
• 発音: /ki o tsɯ.ka.ɯ/

意味

To be considerate of others' feelings; to be mindful and attentive in social situations.

気を遣う describes the active effort of monitoring and responding to others' emotional states. While valued as a social skill, excessive 気遣い can be exhausting. Japanese people often describe social fatigue as 気を遣いすぎて疲れた (tired from being too considerate). It reflects the Japanese emphasis on maintaining smooth interpersonal relationships.

例文

1. 気を遣いすぎて逆に疲れちゃうタイプなんだよね。
2. あの人は周りに気を遣える人だから好かれてる。
3. 先輩に気を遣うのは当たり前だけど、度が過ぎると大変。

使い方ガイド

場面: workplace, social situations, relationships, self-reflection

トーン: considerate, sometimes weary

正しい言い方

• そんなに気を遣わなくていいよ、楽にして (You don't have to be so considerate, relax)
• 気を遣ってくれてありがとう (Thanks for being so thoughtful)

避ける言い方

• 気を遣うのをやめろと命令するのは逆効果 (Ordering someone to stop being considerate usually has the opposite effect — they worry more)

よくある間違い

• Confusing 気を遣う (considerate) with 気をつける (be careful) — similar but different nuances
• Not understanding that 気を遣う can be both a compliment and a source of exhaustion depending on degree

起源と歴史

From 気 (spirit/mind/energy) + 遣う (to use/send). Literally 'to use one's ki (mental energy)' for others. Reflects the deep cultural expectation of being attuned to others' needs without being asked.

文化的背景

時代: Classical concept, integral to Japanese social interaction

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. One of the most commonly discussed social expectations in Japanese culture.