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B1 phrase 8 min read

気分が悪い

kibun ga warui
Examples 気分が悪い in 30 Seconds
Explanation 気分が悪い in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn '気分が悪い' (kibun ga warui) as a set phrase to mean 'I feel sick' or 'I don't feel well'. You don't need to worry about the complex 'bad mood' meanings yet. Focus on using it when you have a stomach ache or feel dizzy. You will mostly use the polite form: 'Kibun ga warui desu'. It is a very important phrase for survival in Japan, especially if you get motion sickness on trains or buses. Remember that 'kibun' means your internal feeling. If you are in a classroom or a shop and suddenly feel like you might faint or throw up, saying 'Kibun ga warui desu' will let people know you need help. You can also use 'chotto' (a little) to make it sound more natural: 'Chotto kibun ga warui desu'. This level focuses on simple subject-adjective structures.
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At the A2 level, you begin to understand the past tense and simple reasons. You can say 'Kibun ga warukatta desu' (I felt sick) to explain why you were absent. You also learn to use the particle 'de' to give a reason, such as 'Kuruma de kibun ga warui' (I feel sick because of the car). You should also start to notice the difference between 'kibun' and 'karada' (body). While 'karada ga itai' means your body hurts, 'kibun ga warui' means you feel generally unwell inside. You might also encounter the 'bad mood' meaning in simple stories or anime. At this stage, you should practice the negative form 'kibun ga yokunai' (though 'warukunai' is more common) and understand that the particle 'ga' can sometimes be dropped in very casual speech with friends.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle the ambiguity of '気分が悪い' (kibun ga warui). You should be able to distinguish between the physical 'nausea' and the psychological 'unpleasant mood' based on context. You can use this phrase to express dissatisfaction with someone's behavior or a situation. For example, 'Kare no kotoba wo kiite, kibun ga warui' (Hearing his words, I feel unpleasant/offended). You should also be able to use the 'te-form' to link sentences: 'Kibun ga warukute, nani mo taberaremasen' (I feel sick and can't eat anything). You will also learn more specific alternatives like 'hakike ga suru' (to feel nauseous) and understand when 'kibun ga warui' is a better, more general choice. You should also be comfortable using adverbs like 'hijou ni' (extremely) or 'kaiteki ni' (comfortably - as an opposite) to describe your state.
At the B2 level, you should understand the social nuances and 'reading the air' (kuuki wo yomu) associated with this phrase. You know that saying 'kibun ga warui' in a meeting can be a powerful way to signal that a proposal is ethically or personally disagreeable. You also learn how to describe other people's feelings using '~sou' (kibun ga waru-sou) or '~youda', respecting the Japanese cultural norm of not stating another's internal state as an absolute fact. You can use the phrase in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'kibun ga waruku naru hodo' (to the extent that I feel sick). You also start to recognize the phrase in literature or news where it might describe the 'malaise' of a society or the 'unpleasant atmosphere' of a crime scene. Your vocabulary expands to include 'fukigen' and 'fukai-kan' (feeling of discomfort).
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At the C1 level, you master the subtle psychological implications of '気分が悪い'. You can use it to describe existential unease or a deep-seated psychological aversion to a situation. You understand how it functions in formal writing or high-level literature to set a tone of discomfort. You are aware of the historical development of 'kibun' (originally referring to 'qi' or energy) and how that influences the modern usage of the word as an internal state. You can distinguish between 'kibun ga warui' and 'kimochi ga warui' in highly nuanced scenarios—for example, explaining that while a movie's visuals were 'kimochi warui' (gross), the overall message made you 'kibun ga warui' (morally/internally disturbed). You use the phrase with perfect register control, knowing exactly when a more formal 'fukai-kan wo oboeru' (to feel a sense of discomfort) is required over the standard phrase.
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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for '気分が悪い'. You can use it idiomatically and understand its role in complex social dynamics, such as 'passive-aggressive' expressions or 'tatemae' (public face). You can analyze the phrase's use in classical-modern transition literature or philosophical texts where 'kibun' represents the 'mood' of an era (Zeitgeist). You are capable of debating the linguistic boundaries between 'kibun', 'kokoro', and 'ishiki'. You can provide detailed explanations to others about why 'kibun ga warui' is used in specific cinematic scenes to convey a character's internal collapse without any dialogue. Your use of the phrase is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the use of subtle intonations that distinguish between 'I'm about to throw up' and 'I'm about to lose my temper'.
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Examples

気分が悪い in 30 Seconds

  • A general phrase for feeling physically sick (nausea, dizziness) or mentally unwell (bad mood).
  • Consists of 'kibun' (internal state) and 'warui' (bad). Use it for nausea on trains.
  • Can also mean feeling offended or displeased by someone's rude behavior or attitude.
  • Do not confuse with 'kimochi ga warui', which means something external is gross or creepy.

The Japanese phrase 気分が悪い (kibun ga warui) is a versatile expression that every learner must master because it covers two distinct but related territories: physical health and emotional state. At its core, it describes an internal 'feeling' that is 'bad'. Unlike specific medical terms that might point to a headache or a stomach ache, this phrase is a general indicator of distress. When you say this, you are signaling to those around you that something is not right within your body or your mind.

Physical Usage
In a physical context, it most commonly refers to nausea, dizziness, or a general sense of being unwell. If you are on a crowded train and start to feel motion sick, this is the phrase you would use to ask for help or explain why you need to sit down.

バス酔いで、少し気分が悪いです。
(I feel a bit sick because of bus sickness.)

Emotional Usage
Emotionally, it describes being in a foul mood, feeling offended, or being displeased by someone's behavior. It is the internal reaction to an external unpleasantness. If someone makes an insensitive joke, you might feel 'kibun ga warui'—not because your stomach hurts, but because your mood has been soured.

In Japanese society, where harmony (wa) is valued, expressing that you feel 'bad' is a significant communicative act. It alerts others that you may need to step away from a social obligation or that a boundary has been crossed. It is less clinical than 'taichou ga warui' (physical condition is bad) and more personal. Because it is subjective, it is a powerful way to communicate your current state of being without needing to provide a specific diagnosis or reason immediately.

彼の態度を見て、非常に気分が悪い。
(Seeing his attitude makes me feel very unpleasant/offended.)

Social Nuance
In formal settings, using the polite form 'kibun ga warui desu' is essential. In casual settings, 'kibun warui' (dropping the particle 'ga') is common among friends. Understanding the context—whether you are clutching your stomach or frowning at a comment—is key for the listener to interpret which 'bad feeling' you are experiencing.

Using 気分が悪い requires an understanding of Japanese adjective conjugation and particle usage. Since 'warui' is an i-adjective, it changes based on tense and politeness. Whether you are describing a past incident of nausea or a current state of irritation, the grammar remains consistent. This section explores the structural foundations of the phrase.

Basic Conjugations
Present: 気分が悪い (kibun ga warui) - I feel bad.
Past: 気分が悪かった (kibun ga warukatta) - I felt bad.
Negative: 気分が良くない (kibun ga yokunai) - I don't feel bad (though 'kibun wa warukunai' is more common).
Te-form: 気分が悪くて (kibun ga warukute) - Feeling bad, and...

昨日は気分が悪かったので、早く寝ました。
(Because I felt unwell yesterday, I went to bed early.)

The particle が (ga) is the standard subject marker here, emphasizing that it is the *feeling* that is bad. However, in conversation, you might hear は (wa) used for contrast: 'Karada wa daijoubu dakedo, kibun wa warui' (My body is fine, but my mood is bad). Dropping the particle entirely is very common in casual speech: 'Kibun warui...'

Combining with Adverbs
To specify the intensity, use adverbs like 'sukoshi' (a little), 'totemo' (very), or 'sugoku' (extremely).
Example: 少し気分が悪いです (I feel a little sick).
Example: ものすごく気分が悪い (I'm in a terrible mood).

食べ過ぎて、ちょっと気分が悪い。
(I ate too much and feel a bit sick.)

Explaining Causes
Use the particle '~de' to indicate the cause of the bad feeling. 'Sake de kibun ga warui' (Sick from alcohol). 'Stress de kibun ga warui' (In a bad mood from stress).

人混みのせいで気分が悪い。
(I feel sick because of the crowds.)

In Japan, 気分が悪い is a frequent phrase in daily life, ranging from public transport to workplace interactions. Understanding the setting is vital for correct interpretation. Because Japanese communication relies heavily on 'kuuki wo yomu' (reading the air), the physical environment provides the necessary clues to determine if the speaker is nauseous or angry.

Public Transportation
This is perhaps the most common place for the 'nausea' meaning. Trains in Japan can be incredibly packed, leading to anemia or motion sickness. You will hear announcements or see passengers using this phrase to request a seat or alert the station staff.

すみません、気分が悪いので席を譲っていただけませんか？
(Excuse me, I feel unwell, so could you please let me have the seat?)

Social and Workplace Conflict
In the office, if a boss is being overly critical or a colleague is being rude, a person might describe their reaction as 'kibun ga warui'. It acts as a soft but clear way to express that the atmosphere has become toxic or unpleasant.

あんな言い方をされると、誰だって気分が悪いですよ。
(Anyone would feel bad if they were spoken to like that.)

Medical Contexts
When visiting a clinic (naika), the doctor will ask 'Dou shimashita ka?' (What happened?). You might start with 'Kibun ga warukute...' to indicate a general malaise before moving into specifics like fever or pain.

朝から気分が悪いんです。
(I've been feeling sick/unwell since this morning.)

Ultimately, 'kibun ga warui' is the 'I'm not okay' phrase of the Japanese language. It is vague enough to be polite but clear enough to demand attention or empathy. Whether it's the result of bad sushi or a bad boss, it is the primary way to voice internal discomfort.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 気分が悪い is confusing it with 気持ちが悪い (kimochi ga warui). While they look similar, their usage patterns and social implications are significantly different. Misusing them can lead to embarrassing situations or misunderstandings about your physical state versus your opinion of something.

Confusion with Kimochi ga Warui
'Kibun' refers to your internal state (nausea/mood). 'Kimochi' refers to your sensory reaction to something external. If you see a bug and say 'Kibun ga warui', Japanese people will think you are feeling sick or are in a bad mood because of the bug. If you say 'Kimochi ga warui', you are saying the bug is gross/creepy (disgust).

Mistake: (Seeing a cockroach) 気分が悪い！
Correct: 気持ちが悪い！ (Gross!/Creepy!)
(Use 'Kimochi' for things that make your skin crawl.)

Describing Others
Another mistake is stating 'Tanaka-san wa kibun ga warui desu' as a fact. In Japanese, you cannot definitively state how someone else feels internally. You must use 'sou' (looks like) or 'rashii' (seems like). Saying it directly sounds like you are psychic or being overly presumptive.

Better: 田中さんは気分が悪そうです。
(Tanaka-san looks like he's feeling unwell/in a bad mood.)

Overusing for Pain
Don't use 'kibun ga warui' for specific sharp pains like a broken bone or a cut. It is for 'vague' internal feelings like nausea, dizziness, or lightheadedness. For a headache, say 'atama ga itai'. Use 'kibun ga warui' for the 'general' feeling of being sick.

Mistake: (Pointing to a cut) 気分が悪い。
Correct: 痛い！ (It hurts!)
(Kibun is for 'states', not external injuries.)

Japanese has several ways to say you aren't feeling well or are in a bad mood. Choosing the right one depends on whether you want to sound clinical, polite, or focus on a specific sensation. Below is a comparison of 気分が悪い with its most common alternatives.

体調が悪い (Taichou ga warui)
This is more formal and clinical. It literally means 'physical condition is bad'. Use this when calling in sick to work or talking to a doctor about chronic issues. It does *not* carry the 'bad mood' meaning.
具合が悪い (Guai ga warui)
Very similar to 'kibun ga warui' in terms of physical illness. 'Guai' means 'condition/state'. It is slightly more objective than 'kibun'. It is often used for mechanical failures too (e.g., the car's condition is bad).

Comparison:
1. 気分が悪い: I feel sick (Internal/Subjective).
2. 具合が悪い: My condition is bad (Slightly more formal/objective).
3. 体調が悪い: My physical health is poor (Clinical/Workplace).

不機嫌 (Fukigen)
If you specifically want to say 'bad mood' without the ambiguity of physical illness, use 'fukigen'. It describes someone who is grumpy, displeased, or in a huff. It is a noun/na-adjective.
吐き気がする (Hakike ga suru)
If the 'kibun ga warui' specifically means you are about to vomit, this is the more precise medical term. It means 'to feel nauseous'.

例文: 彼は今日、ずっと不機嫌だ。
(He has been in a bad mood/grumpy all day today.)

In summary, while 'kibun ga warui' is the most common, knowing 'taichou' for work and 'hakike' for the doctor will make your Japanese much more precise and effective.

Fun Fact

In ancient times, 'ki' was believed to be a physical substance that flowed through the body. If your 'ki' was 'bad' (warui) or 'blocked', you became ill.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ki.bɯn ga wa.ɾɯ.i
US ki.bʊn ɡɑ wɑ.ɹu.i
Japanese is a pitch-accent language. 'Ki-bu-n' usually starts high and drops. 'Wa-ru-i' typically has a low-high-low pattern, but varies by dialect.
Rhymes With
Marui (Round) Karui (Light) Surui (Sly) Nurui (Lukewarm) Furui (Old) Warui (Bad) Akarui (Bright) Yurui (Loose)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'r' in 'warui' like an English 'r' (curled tongue).
  • Making the 'ga' sound too much like 'ka'.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'n' in 'kibun'.
  • Blending 'warui' into two syllables instead of three (wa-ru-i).
  • Stress on the wrong syllable, making it sound flat.
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Examples by Level

1

気分が悪いです。

I feel sick.

Standard polite present tense.

2

少し気分が悪いです。

I feel a little sick.

Adding the adverb 'sukoshi' (a little).

3

気分が悪いですか？

Do you feel sick?

Question form using 'ka'.

4

はい、気分が悪いです。

Yes, I feel sick.

Affirmative response.

5

気分は悪くないです。

I don't feel sick.

Negative form with contrastive 'wa'.

6

お腹が痛くて、気分が悪いです。

My stomach hurts, and I feel sick.

Using 'te-form' (itakute) to connect reasons.

7

バスで気分が悪くなりました。

I became sick on the bus.

Using 'naru' (to become) in past tense.

8

大丈夫ですか？気分が悪いですか？

Are you okay? Do you feel unwell?

Common survival phrase.

1

昨日は気分が悪かったです。

I felt unwell yesterday.

Past tense 'warukatta'.

2

お酒を飲んで、気分が悪くなりました。

I drank alcohol and felt sick.

Cause indicated by 'te-form' of a verb.

3

暑くて気分が悪いので、窓を開けてください。

It's hot and I feel sick, so please open the window.

Using 'node' for cause/reason.

4

彼は気分が悪そうです。

He looks like he's feeling unwell.

Using '~sou' for appearance.

5

気分が悪いときは、休みましょう。

When you feel sick, let's rest.

Using 'toki' (when).

6

人混みで気分が悪くなりました。

I felt sick in the crowd.

Using 'de' to indicate location/cause.

7

気分が悪かったら、教えてください。

If you feel sick, please let me know.

Conditional '~tara'.

8

あまり気分が良くありません。

I don't feel very well.

Polite negative 'yoku arimasen'.

1

あの人の態度は、本当に気分が悪い。

That person's attitude really makes me feel bad/offended.

Emotional usage of the phrase.

2

気分が悪いので、今日のパーティーは欠席します。

I feel unwell, so I will be absent from today's party.

Using 'kesseki' (absence).

3

食べ過ぎて気分が悪くなることがあります。

There are times when I feel sick from eating too much.

Using 'koto ga aru' for frequency/experience.

4

そんなことを言われると、気分が悪いですよ。

When you say things like that, it makes me feel bad (offended).

Using conditional '~to' for reaction.

5

船に酔って、ものすごく気分が悪いです。

I'm seasick and feel extremely unwell.

Using 'monosugoku' for emphasis.

6

気分が悪いので、少し横になってもいいですか？

I feel sick, so may I lie down for a bit?

Asking permission with '~te mo ii desu ka'.

7

彼の不機嫌な顔を見ると、こちらも気分が悪くなる。

Seeing his grumpy face makes me feel bad too.

Empathy/reaction usage.

8

気分が悪くなったら、すぐに薬を飲んでください。

If you start to feel sick, please take medicine immediately.

Using 'sugu ni' (immediately).

1

不正なやり方を見て、非常に気分が悪くなった。

Seeing the dishonest methods made me feel extremely unpleasant/offended.

Moral/ethical discomfort.

2

気分が悪いのは、寝不足のせいかもしれない。

The reason I feel unwell might be due to lack of sleep.

Using '~no wa ... no sei' structure.

3

彼女は気分が悪そうに席を立った。

She stood up from her seat looking like she felt unwell/unpleasant.

Adverbial use of '~sou ni'.

4

気分が悪くなるほど、その部屋は散らかっていた。

The room was so messy that it made me feel sick.

Using '~hodo' for degree.

5

上司に叱られて、一日中気分が悪かった。

I was scolded by my boss and felt bad all day.

Passive verb 'shikararete' as a cause.

6

気分が悪いと言って、彼は途中で帰ってしまった。

Saying he felt unwell, he ended up going home halfway through.

Using '~te shimatta' for regret/completion.

7

空気の入れ替えをしないと、気分が悪くなりますよ。

If you don't circulate the air, you'll start to feel sick.

Using 'kuuki no irekae' (ventilation).

8

誰かが陰口を言っているのを聞くのは、気分が悪いものだ。

It's an unpleasant thing to hear someone speaking ill of others behind their back.

Using '~mono da' for general truths.

1

利己的な振る舞いに、周囲は皆気分を悪くしていた。

Everyone around was made to feel unpleasant by the selfish behavior.

Using 'kibun wo waruku suru' (to make someone feel bad).

2

そのニュースを聞いて、日本中が気分を悪くしたに違いない。

Hearing that news, people all over Japan must have felt terrible.

Using '~ni chigai nai' (must be).

3

気分が悪いなどと言っていられる状況ではない。

This is not a situation where one can afford to say they 'feel bad'.

Complex double negation/limitation.

4

彼の発言は、聴衆の気分を著しく害するものだった。

His remarks were such that they significantly offended the audience's feelings.

Formal version 'kibun wo gaisuru' (to harm feelings).

5

気分が悪いという主観的な訴えを、どう客観的に評価するか。

How to objectively evaluate the subjective complaint of 'feeling unwell'.

Academic/abstract context.

6

密室での尋問は、被疑者の気分を悪くさせ、口を閉ざさせた。

The interrogation in a closed room made the suspect feel unwell and caused them to shut down.

Causative form 'waruku saseru'.

7

その場の空気が重く、立っているだけで気分が悪くなりそうだった。

The atmosphere was so heavy that just standing there made me feel like I would become sick.

Metaphorical 'heaviness' of air.

8

気分が悪いという言葉の裏には、様々な葛藤が隠されている。

Behind the words 'I feel bad', various conflicts are hidden.

Philosophical/literary analysis.

1

政治家の厚顔無恥な釈明には、国民の多くが気分を悪くしている。

Many citizens are revolted by the politicians' brazen and shameless explanations.

High-level vocabulary like 'kougan-muchi'.

2

気分が悪いという一言が、これほどまでに波紋を広げるとは思わなかった。

I didn't think the single phrase 'I feel bad' would cause such a stir.

Using '~to wa omowanakatta'.

3

彼女の繊細な気分を害さないよう、言葉を慎重に選ぶ必要があった。

It was necessary to choose words carefully so as not to offend her delicate sensibilities.

Formal 'kibun wo gaisanai' (not to harm mood).

4

近代文学における「気分が悪い」という表現の変遷を辿る。

Tracing the transition of the expression 'kibun ga warui' in modern literature.

Academic research context.

5

体調不良というよりは、精神的な意味で気分が悪かったのだ。

Rather than physical illness, it was in a mental sense that I felt unwell.

Distinguishing between physical and mental.

6

その場の欺瞞に満ちた空気に、私は吐き気を催すほどの気分を味わった。

In the atmosphere full of deception, I experienced a feeling so bad it almost induced vomiting.

Literary/dramatic intensity.

7

気分が悪いという訴えを無視することは、人権侵害にも繋がりかねない。

Ignoring a complaint of feeling unwell could potentially lead to a violation of human rights.

Legal/Ethical context using '~kaneyanai'.

8

万全の体調であっても、環境一つで気分は容易に悪くなるものだ。

Even if one is in perfect health, one's mood can easily sour depending on the environment.

Using 'banzen' (perfect) and 'youi ni' (easily).

Common Collocations

少し気分が悪い
気分が悪くなる
非常に気分が悪い
見ていて気分が悪い
気分が悪そうだ
酒で気分が悪い
乗り物で気分が悪い
気分が悪いと言う
一日中気分が悪い
気分を悪くさせる

Common Phrases

気分が悪いんです

— I'm feeling unwell (polite explanation). Often used to start a conversation about health.

すみません、ちょっと気分が悪いんです。

気分が悪くなりました

— I started feeling sick / I became offended.

バスに乗ってすぐに気分が悪くなりました。

気分を悪くする

— To get offended or to feel bad because of something.

そんなに気分を悪くしないでください。

見ていて気分が悪い

— It's unpleasant to watch. Used for rude behavior or disturbing scenes.

ポイ捨ては見ていて気分が悪い。

気分が悪い時は

— When you feel unwell...

気分が悪い時は無理をしないで。

何となく気分が悪い

— Feeling 'off' for no clear reason.

今日は何となく気分が悪い。

気分が悪いせいか

— Perhaps because I feel unwell...

気分が悪いせいか、食欲がない。

気分が悪いほど

— To the extent that I feel sick.

気分が悪いほど、部屋が臭い。

急に気分が悪い

— Suddenly feeling sick.

急に気分が悪くなって倒れた。

気分が悪かったら言って

— Tell me if you feel sick.

気分が悪かったらすぐに言ってね。

Idioms & Expressions

"虫の居所が悪い"

— To be in a bad mood (literally: the place where the bug lives is bad).

今日は部長、虫の居所が悪いみたいだよ。

Idiomatic
"鼻につく"

— To be disgusted by someone's affectation or behavior (makes your nose twitch).

彼の自慢話は鼻につく。

Neutral
"癪に障る"

— To be annoyed or offended.

彼の言い方は本当に癪に障る。

Neutral
"胸がむかつく"

— To feel nauseous or to be disgusted/angry.

あの不公平な扱いには胸がむかつく。

Neutral
"反吐が出る"

— To be so disgusted it makes you want to vomit.

彼の嘘には反吐が出る。

Strong/Slang
"顔に泥を塗る"

— To humiliate someone (making them feel 'bad' in a social sense).

親の顔に泥を塗るようなことはするな。

Formal
"角が立つ"

— To create friction or hard feelings in a relationship.

そんな言い方をすると角が立つよ。

Neutral
"居心地が悪い"

— To feel uncomfortable or out of place.

知らない人ばかりで居心地が悪い。

Neutral
"後味が悪い"

— To have a bad aftertaste (used for situations that end unpleasantly).

あの映画は後味が悪い。

Neutral
"虫が好かない"

— To have an instinctive dislike for someone.

どうもあの人は虫が好かない。

Neutral

Word Family

Nouns

気分 (Feeling/Mood)
悪意 (Ill will)
悪化 (Worsening)

Verbs

悪くする (To make bad)
悪くなる (To become bad)

Adjectives

悪い (Bad)
悪賢い (Cunning)

Related

体調 (Physical condition)
具合 (Condition)
気持ち (Feeling)
精神 (Spirit/Mind)
不快 (Discomfort)
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Word Origin

Composed of 'Kibun' (気分) and 'Warui' (悪い). 'Ki' (気) refers to energy, spirit, or air, a concept borrowed from Chinese 'qi'. 'Bun' (分) means part or portion.

Original meaning: The portion or state of one's internal energy/spirit.

Sino-Japanese (Kibun) + Native Japanese (Warui).
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