呑気

• 読み: のんき
• ローマ字: nonki
• 漢字の分解: 呑 (don/no) — to swallow; 気 (ki/ke) — spirit, mood, energy
• 発音: /no̞ŋki/

意味

Carefree; easygoing; optimistic; nonchalant. Describes a relaxed, unhurried disposition that does not worry much.

A na-adjective used both positively (an enviably relaxed person) and critically (someone inappropriately unconcerned). Unlike のどか, which describes external serenity, 呑気 refers to a personal temperament. Colloquially spelled のんき. Common in everyday speech across all generations.

例文

1. 締め切りが明日なのに、彼は呑気にテレビを見ている。
2. 少し呑気すぎるくらいの性格が彼の持ち味でもある。
3. 呑気な旅行者はスリにとって格好の標的になりかねない。

使い方ガイド

場面: character description, everyday conversation, humour

トーン: neutral

起源と歴史

A Sino-Japanese compound: 呑 (to swallow) and 気 (spirit, energy). The image is of swallowing one's anxieties and remaining untroubled. Entered Japanese through Chinese philosophical vocabulary.

文化的背景

時代: Meiji

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal