気合

• Reading: きあい
• Romaji: kiai
• Kanji breakdown: 気 (ki) — spirit, energy, mind; 合 (ai) — match, join, combine
• Pronunciation: /ki.ai/

Meaning

Fighting spirit; motivation; vigor. A burst of mental energy and determination.

A noun describing focused mental and physical energy, often expressed as a shout or intense concentration. Central to Japanese martial arts, sports, and work culture. The most common collocation is 気合を入れる (kiai wo ireru, to psych oneself up / to get fired up). Can also refer to the loud shouts in martial arts (kiai). Used casually to mean 'getting motivated' for any task.

Examples

1. 試合前に気合を入れてチーム全員で声を出した。 Before the match, the whole team fired themselves up and cheered together.
2. 今日は気合が足りないから集中できない。 I can't focus today because I just don't have the drive.
3. コーチの一言で選手たちに気合が入った。 One word from the coach was all it took to get the players pumped up.

Usage Guide

Context: martial arts, sports, daily motivation

Tone: energetic

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 気 (ki, spirit/energy) + 合 (ai, joining/matching). Literally 'merging of spirit' — the concentration and release of inner energy.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal