A2 Expression Neutral

気分が悪い

Kibun ga warui

Feel sick

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to express that you are feeling physically unwell or nauseous.

  • Means: To feel physically sick, nauseous, or generally unwell.
  • Used in: Telling a boss you are sick, explaining why you can't eat, or seeking medical help.
  • Don't confuse: It is not used for 'bad mood' (that is {機嫌|きげん}が{悪|わる}い).
🤢 (Nausea) + 🤒 (Fever) = {気分|きぶん}が{悪|わる}い

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means you feel sick. Use it when you are ill or dizzy.
Use '{気分|きぶん}が{悪|わる}い' to express physical discomfort. It is common for nausea or general illness. Remember, it is not for emotional moods.
This expression is essential for daily life in Japan. It functions as a polite way to communicate physical distress. It is distinct from '{機嫌|きげん}が{悪|わる}い', which describes an emotional state. It is highly versatile in both formal and informal contexts.
The phrase '{気分|きぶん}が{悪|わる}い' serves as a pragmatic tool for managing social expectations. By using this, a speaker signals a need for withdrawal from a situation due to physiological factors, which is culturally respected. It is a standard, neutral expression that avoids over-sharing while clearly stating one's condition.
Linguistically, this phrase demonstrates the Japanese tendency to externalize internal states. By attributing a 'bad' quality to one's 'mood/spirit' (kibun), the speaker creates a distance between their self and the illness. This is a crucial distinction in Japanese discourse, where physical ailments are often treated as temporary states rather than defining traits of the individual.
The semantic scope of '{気分|きぶん}が{悪|わる}い' encapsulates a nuanced intersection of physiological distress and social etiquette. It functions as a performative utterance that necessitates immediate social accommodation. Its usage requires a high degree of register awareness, as misapplying it to emotional states can lead to significant pragmatic failure in interpersonal communication.

Bedeutung

To feel unwell or nauseous.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

Japanese culture values indirectness. This phrase is a polite way to excuse oneself.

💡

Context is key

Always clarify if you need a doctor.

Bedeutung

To feel unwell or nauseous.

💡

Context is key

Always clarify if you need a doctor.

Teste dich selbst

Which phrase is correct for physical sickness?

I feel sick.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 気分が悪いです

気分 is for physical, 機嫌 is for emotional.

🎉 Ergebnis: /1

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Häufig gestellte Fragen

1 Fragen

No, use kigen.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔄

体調が悪い

synonym

Physical condition is bad

Wo du es verwendest

🚆

On a train

You: すみません、気分が悪いので座ってもいいですか？

neutral
💼

At work

You: 部長、体調が悪いので早退させてください。

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Kibun' as 'Key-Bun'. If your 'Key' to your 'Bun' (stomach) is broken, you feel sick!

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding their stomach on a rocking boat.

Rhyme

Feeling sick, feeling blue, {気分|きぶん}が{悪|わる}い for you.

Story

Kenji ate bad sushi. He stood up to leave. He said, 'Sumimasen, {気分|きぶん}が{悪|わる}いです.' Everyone understood and let him go home.

Word Web

{体調|たいちょう}{吐|は}き{気|け}{風邪|かぜ}{熱|ねつ}{頭痛|ずつう}{薬|くすり}

Herausforderung

Next time you feel slightly tired, say it out loud in Japanese.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Sentirse mal

Spanish 'sentirse mal' can also mean emotional sadness.

French moderate

Avoir mal au cœur

The anatomical focus is different.

German high

Mir ist schlecht

German uses a dative construction.

Chinese high

不舒服 (bù shūfu)

Chinese is more direct about 'comfort'.

Korean low

기분이 나쁘다 (gibuni nappeuda)

Korean requires '몸이 안 좋다' for physical sickness.

Portuguese high

Sentir-se mal

Context is king.

Arabic moderate

أشعر بالتوعك (ash'uru bil-tawa'uk)

Arabic has a specific word for 'unwell'.

Japanese self

気分が悪い

None.

Easily Confused

気分が悪い vs. 機嫌が悪い

Both use 'warui'.

Kigen = Mood/Temper.

FAQ (1)

No, use kigen.

War das hilfreich?

Kommentare (0)

Zum Kommentieren Anmelden
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!