Beginners (and even intermediate learners) always get stuck on these three words:
- 気持ち きもち kimochi
- 気分 きぶん kibun
- 機嫌 きげん kigen
They all mean “mood / feelings”… but not really! Let’s clear it up once and for all.
1️⃣ 気持ち (kimochi) → Concrete feelings or physical sensations inside you.
- 嬉しい気持ち うれしいきもち → feeling of happiness
- 気持ちがいい きもちがいい → feels good / refreshing (after a shower, breeze, massage, etc.)
- あなたの気持ちを教えて → Tell me how you really feel
2️⃣ 気分 (kibun) → Overall mood or how you feel in general (mental or physical). Often used when the feeling is temporary or when you’re not feeling well.
- 今日は気分がいい きょうはきぶんがいい → I’m in a good mood today
- 気分が悪い きぶんがわるい → I feel off / unwell / down
3️⃣ 機嫌 (kigen) → Visible mood — how your mood shows on the outside and affects people around you.
- 機嫌が悪い きげんがわるい → He/she is in a bad mood (grumpy, irritated)
- 機嫌を取る きげんをとる → butter someone up, get on someone’s good side
- 彼はいつも機嫌がいい → He’s always in a good mood (cheerful & pleasant to be around)
Quick summary:
- 気持ち → specific emotions & physical sensations inside
- 気分 → general, overall mood or state (often temporary)
- 機嫌 → outward mood that others can notice
Still confused? This hilarious Japanese YouTuber explains it perfectly while talking to a cute weird creature 😂 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1lIDFutsVQ (6 minutes of pure gold)
Which one do you use the most? Drop your favorite example below! 👇