気を利かせる

• 読み: きをきかせる
• ローマ字: ki wo kikaseru
• 漢字の分解: 気 (ki) — spirit, awareness; 利 (ri/ki) — profit, effective, sharp
• 発音: /ki.o.ki.ka.se.ɾɯ/

意味

To use tact; to be thoughtful; to exercise discretion; to take a hint and act accordingly.

An expression using Group 2 (ichidan) verb 利かせる (causative of 利く, to be effective). Literally 'to make one's awareness work effectively,' meaning to read a situation perceptively and act appropriately without being asked. Highly valued in Japanese culture where reading the air (空気を読む) and anticipating others' needs is a social skill.

例文

1. 彼女は気を利かせて二人きりにしてくれた。
2. 後輩が気を利かせてお茶を入れてくれた。
3. 気を利かせたつもりが余計なお世話だった。

使い方ガイド

場面: social situations, workplace, hospitality

トーン: appreciative

起源と歴史

From 気 (awareness, sensitivity) and 利かせる (to make effective). Related to the broader Japanese concept of 気が利く (to be perceptive/considerate) — a highly prized social trait.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal