気さく

• Reading: きさく
• Romaji: kisaku
• Kanji breakdown: 気 (ki) — spirit, feeling, temperament
• Pronunciation: /ki.sa.kɯ/

Meaning

Friendly; approachable; frank; easygoing. Describes someone open and sociable in manner.

A na-adjective describing a person who is naturally friendly, open-hearted, and easy to talk to. Often used as a compliment for someone who does not put on airs despite their status. Appears in 気さくな人 (a friendly person), 気さくに話しかける (to approach someone in a friendly way). The word is almost always used positively.

Examples

1. あの先生は気さくで生徒に人気がある。 That teacher is approachable and popular with the students.
2. 社長は気さくに話しかけてくれる人だ。 The president is someone who talks to you in a friendly, down-to-earth way.
3. 気さくな性格のおかげですぐ友達ができた。 Thanks to her friendly personality, she made friends right away.

Usage Guide

Context: personality description, daily life, workplace, compliments

Tone: positive

Origin & History

From 気 (ki, spirit/temperament) + さく, an archaic word meaning refreshing or frank. The combination describes a personality that is refreshingly open and without pretension.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal