Meaning and Usage
"元気" (げんき) primarily means "healthy" or "energetic." It is commonly used to describe someone's physical or mental well-being and vitality. It can be used both as a noun and an adjective.
Common Expressions
- "元気ですか？" is a very common greeting equivalent to "How are you?" or "Are you well?" It is polite and used in everyday conversation.
- When describing someone, "元気な人" means "a healthy/energetic person."
Collocations and Patterns
- 元気に + verb: indicates doing something energetically or lively (e.g., 元気に遊ぶ - to play energetically).
- 元気がない: means "not energetic" or "feeling down," often used to describe someone who looks tired or unwell.
Register and Nuance
"元気" is a casual and friendly word suitable for most social contexts. It is often used in informal and polite speech but not in very formal medical contexts where more technical terms might be preferred.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "元気" with just physical health, but it also strongly implies mental energy and mood. Also, "元気ですか？" is a greeting rather than a literal health inquiry, so a simple "はい、元気です" is a natural response.