気立て

きだて

good-natured, kind-hearted

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Understanding 気立て

気立て refers to a person's innate temperament or disposition, especially highlighting kindness and a good nature. It is often used to describe someone’s character in a positive light, focusing on their gentle and considerate qualities.

Usage and Nuance

This word is typically used in polite or formal contexts, often when praising someone's personality. It emphasizes natural kindness rather than learned behavior. When you say someone has a good 気立て, you imply they are warm-hearted and trustworthy.

Common Collocations

  • 気立てが良い: to have a good nature; used to compliment someone's kind personality.
  • 気立ての優しい: kind-hearted; highlights gentleness.
  • 気立ての良さが表れる: the goodness of one's nature is shown; used to describe how character appears in actions or words.

Tips for Learners

Be careful not to confuse 気立て with 性格 (せいかく), which is a broader term for personality or character. 気立て specifically focuses on kindness and the warmth of one's disposition. Use 気立て when you want to emphasize someone's gentle and good-hearted nature in a respectful way.

Example Sentences

かのじょはきだてがよく、だれとでもすぐになかよくなれる。

She has a good nature and can quickly become friends with anyone.

きだてのやさしいひとは、まわりのひとからしんらいされやすい。

A kind-hearted person is easily trusted by those around them.

きだてのよさは、ことばだけでなくこうどうにもあらわれる。

Good nature is shown not only in words but also in actions.