気まぐれ

• Reading: きまぐれ
• Romaji: kimagure
• Kanji breakdown: 気 (ki) — mood, feeling, mind. まぐれ is typically written in hiragana (from 紛れ, magure — by chance)
• Pronunciation: /ki.ma.ɡɯ.ɾe/

Meaning

Whim; caprice; fickleness. Acting on sudden impulses without consistency.

A noun and na-adjective describing unpredictable, impulsive behaviour. Can describe both people and their actions. As a noun: 気まぐれで (on a whim). As a na-adjective: 気まぐれな人 (a capricious person). Often used to describe cats (気まぐれな猫), weather, and people who change their minds frequently. The tone ranges from affectionate teasing to mild criticism depending on context.

Examples

1. 彼の気まぐれに振り回されて疲れた。 I'm exhausted from being jerked around by his whims.
2. 気まぐれで始めた趣味が今では生きがいになった。 A hobby I started on a whim has become something I now live for.
3. 猫は気まぐれな性格で知られている。 Cats are known for their unpredictable nature.

Usage Guide

Context: personality, daily life, humour

Tone: playful

Origin & History

Compound of 気 (ki, mood/feeling) + まぐれ (magure, chance/fluke, from 紛れ). Literally 'mood-driven chance' — acting according to whatever mood strikes.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal