When something is 気まずい (kimazui), it means there's an awkward, uneasy, or uncomfortable atmosphere or situation. This feeling often comes up when people don't know how to react, or when there's an unspoken tension. For example, if two people who just had an argument are forced to be in the same room, the atmosphere would be 気まずい.
It can also describe a feeling you get when you've said or done something embarrassing, and now you feel uncomfortable. So, 気まずい is all about that sense of discomfort or awkwardness in social situations or even within yourself.
When we say something or someone is 気まずい (kimazui), we mean there's an awkward, uneasy, or uncomfortable feeling in a situation. It's often used when there's a social tension or an unpleasant atmosphere, perhaps after a misunderstanding or an uncomfortable silence. Think of it as that feeling you get when you're in a situation where you wish you could just disappear. It’s a common word to describe those moments where the vibe is just off and everyone feels a bit out of place or tense.
気まずい 30秒了解
- B1
- awkward
- uncomfortable
趣味小知识
While 'まずい' alone often refers to bad taste (e.g., food), when combined with '気,' it specifically shifts to social or emotional discomfort rather than physical distaste.
容易混淆的词
Often used to describe an awkward atmosphere or mood in a room or between people.
Refers to an awkward silence, a common situation where 気まずい is applicable.
A common phrase meaning 'to have an awkward experience' or 'to feel awkward'.
容易混淆
Both 気まずい and 恥ずかしい can describe feelings of discomfort. However, 気まずい specifically refers to an awkward atmosphere or social situation, while 恥ずかしい is about personal embarrassment or shame.
気まずい = awkward situation/atmosphere. 恥ずかしい = personal embarrassment/shame.
彼と二人きりだと、いつも気まずい雰囲気になります。 (When it's just the two of us, the atmosphere always becomes awkward.) みんなの前で歌うのは恥ずかしいです。 (It's embarrassing to sing in front of everyone.)
Sometimes an 'awkward' situation might also seem 'strange' or 'weird,' leading to confusion. However, 変な describes something unusual or peculiar, not necessarily a social discomfort.
気まずい = awkward social feeling. 変な = strange, weird, unusual.
会議室の空気が気まずいです。 (The atmosphere in the meeting room is awkward.) その話はちょっと変ですね。 (That story is a bit strange, isn't it?)
Both words describe unpleasant feelings. However, 不快な is a more general term for something unpleasant or uncomfortable, often physically or generally displeasing, whereas 気まずい is specifically about social awkwardness or tension.
気まずい = socially awkward/tense. 不快な = generally unpleasant/uncomfortable.
あの沈黙が気まずかった。 (That silence was awkward.) 彼の態度はとても不快でした。 (His attitude was very unpleasant.)
Feeling awkward can sometimes lead to a feeling of being in trouble or in a difficult situation, which is what 困った means. However, 困った focuses on difficulty or trouble, not necessarily the social tension of 気まずい.
気まずい = social awkwardness/tension. 困った = in trouble, difficult situation.
言い間違えて気まずい思いをした。 (I made a mistake in speaking and felt awkward.) どうすればいいか困っています。 (I'm in trouble, I don't know what to do.)
This phrase directly translates to 'uncomfortable' and can be very close in meaning. The key difference is that 居心地が悪い can apply to physical environments (a chair, a room) or general discomfort, while 気まずい is almost exclusively about social situations or interactions.
気まずい = socially awkward. 居心地が悪い = uncomfortable (can be physical or social, but broader).
彼の家族の前では、いつも居心地が悪い。 (I always feel uncomfortable in front of his family.) このソファは座り心地が悪いです。 (This sofa is uncomfortable to sit on.)
词源
From '気' (ki), meaning 'spirit, mind, atmosphere,' and 'まずい' (mazui), meaning 'bad, unappetizing.'
原始含义: The literal combination suggests a 'bad atmosphere' or 'unpleasant feeling.'
Japonic文化背景
The concept of '気まずい' is deeply tied to Japanese social harmony (wa). Feeling '気まずい' often arises in situations where social norms are subtly broken or when there's a perceived lack of understanding or connection between people, causing a palpable tension or discomfort that everyone can feel. It highlights the importance of smooth interpersonal interactions and avoiding friction in social settings.
自我测试 42 个问题
Choose the best English meaning for 「気まずい」:
「気まずい」 (kimazui) means awkward, uneasy, or uncomfortable.
Which situation would likely feel 「気まずい」?
Calling someone by the wrong name often creates an awkward or uncomfortable situation, which is what 「気まずい」 describes.
Which Japanese sentence best uses 「気まずい」?
This sentence correctly uses 「気まずい」 to describe an 'awkward situation'.
「気まずい」 can be used to describe a comfortable feeling.
「気まずい」 means awkward, uneasy, or uncomfortable, not comfortable.
If you forget someone's name, it might feel 「気まずい」.
Forgetting someone's name can definitely create an awkward or uneasy feeling, which is what 「気まずい」 describes.
「気まずい」 is generally a positive feeling.
「気まずい」 describes a negative or uncomfortable feeling, not a positive one.
Listen for a common greeting.
Listen for a common expression of gratitude.
Listen for a common farewell.
Read this aloud:
おはようございます。
Focus: long 'o' sound
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
すみません。
Focus: the 's' and 'm' sounds
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
はい。
Focus: the 'h' sound
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は彼女に会ったとき、とても___感じた。
The sentence implies an uncomfortable feeling when meeting someone, which '気まずい' perfectly conveys.
Which situation would most likely be described as 気まずい?
Saying something inappropriate in a formal setting would create an awkward or uneasy atmosphere, hence '気まずい'.
Select the sentence where 気まずい is used correctly.
'気まずい沈黙' (awkward silence) is a common and correct usage of the word, describing the uncomfortable feeling of silence.
気まずい can be used to describe a comfortable and relaxed situation.
気まずい means awkward, uneasy, or uncomfortable, which is the opposite of comfortable and relaxed.
If you feel awkward after saying something wrong, you might describe your feeling as 気まずい。
Feeling awkward or uneasy after a social gaffe is exactly what '気まずい' describes.
When you are enjoying a fun party, you would typically feel 気まずい。
Enjoying a fun party implies a positive and comfortable feeling, not an awkward or uneasy one. Therefore, '気まずい' would not be appropriate.
The first date with him was a little awkward.
Silence fell, and the atmosphere in the room became uncomfortable.
I'm good at avoiding awkward situations.
Read this aloud:
気まずい沈黙
Focus: きまずい ちんもく (kimazui chinmoku)
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
気まずい空気
Focus: きまずい くうき (kimazui kūki)
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
気まずい状況
Focus: きまずい じょうきょう (kimazui jōkyō)
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The speaker felt awkward with someone at a cafe yesterday.
The speaker feels awkward when alone with someone they just met.
An awkward silence fell, and the speaker didn't know what to do.
Read this aloud:
気まずい瞬間って、誰にでもありますよね。
Focus: きまずい (kimazui), 瞬間 (shunkan)
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
あの時、彼に会うのはちょっと気まずかった。
Focus: あの時 (ano toki), 気まずかった (kimazukatta)
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
気まずいから、もうここには来ない。
Focus: 気まずい (kimazui), 来ない (konai)
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
会議で意見が対立し、部屋全体が___雰囲気になった。
意見の対立は、通常、不快で気まずい雰囲気を作り出します。
彼女の秘密を知ってしまったが、それを口にするのはとても___ことだった。
他人の秘密を口にすることは、通常、ためらいや不快感を伴います。
旧友と偶然再会したが、共通の話題が見つからず、会話が___まま終わってしまった。
共通の話題がないと、会話はぎこちなく不快なものになりがちです。
彼の失礼な冗談に誰も笑わず、その場は___沈黙に包まれた。
失礼な冗談が受け入れられなかった状況は、不快でぎこちない沈黙を引き起こします。
お互いの価値観の違いから、二人の関係は___ものになっていった。
価値観の違いは、関係に不和や不快感をもたらすことがあります。
間違って上司のプライベートな話を聞いてしまい、どう接したらいいか___気持ちになった。
他人のプライベートな情報を意図せず知ってしまった場合、どのように振る舞うべきか困惑し、不快に感じることが一般的です。
The first date yesterday was really awkward.
There was an awkward silence when I disagreed with my boss during the meeting.
I felt uneasy when I unexpectedly ran into an old flame.
Read this aloud:
その場にいるのが気まずいと感じたのはなぜですか?
Focus: なぜですか (naze desu ka)
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
気まずい状況を乗り越えるために、あなたは普段何をしますか?
Focus: 乗り越える (norikoeru)
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
友達が気まずい思いをしている時、どう声をかけますか?
Focus: 声をかけますか (koe o kakemasu ka)
你说的:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
気まずい describes that awkward feeling you get when a situation is just not quite right.
- B1
- awkward
- uncomfortable
例句
彼の前で過去の失敗について話すのは気まずい。
相关内容
更多emotions词汇
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.