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元気
genki
healthy
彼はとても元気です。
He is very healthy.
informal
healthy; in good health; energetic; vigorous
母は元気です。
My mother is healthy.
彼は元気そうに見える。
He looks energetic.
Used to describe both physical health and mental/spiritual vitality. Often used as a greeting.
informal
cheerful; lively; in high spirits
彼女は元気いっぱいだ。
She is full of energy.
今日は元気？
Are you feeling okay today?
Commonly used in casual conversation to ask about someone's well-being.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Using 元気 as a greeting
元気 is often used as a casual greeting, similar to 'How are you?' in English. For example, 元気ですか？ (Genki desu ka?) means 'How are you?' or 'Are you well?'
Gold Rule
元気 vs 健康
元気 emphasizes energy and vitality, while 健康 (kenkou) specifically means 'health' in a physical sense. 元気 can describe mental or spiritual energy as well.
Word Origin
From Middle Chinese 元氣 (yuan qi, 'original spirit/energy'). The kanji 元 means 'original' or 'beginning' and 気 means 'spirit' or 'energy'. In Japanese, it evolved to mean general health and vitality.
Usage Notes
元気 is a very common term used daily in greetings and casual conversation. It can be used as an adjective (元気な) or a noun (元気). When used as a greeting, it often implies 'Are you well?' or 'How are you?'
Word Breakdown
元
original / beginning
root気
spirit / energy
root和英辞典