快適
kaiteki[ka̠ite̞kʲi]
The English word comfort can be translated into Japanese as 快適 (kaiteki), which refers to a cause of relief or satisfaction.
快適 is used to describe physical or environmental comfort (like a room or a seat), it is not used to describe emotional or psychological comfort.
Meaning: cause of relief or satisfaction (noun)
Which one should you use?
快適 refers to physical or environmental comfort. For emotional or psychological comfort, you should use other words such as 安らぎ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 快適 as an adjective to describe a noun, you must add the particle な after it, forming 快適な. You can also turn the word into a noun meaning the quality of being comfortable by adding the suffix さ, resulting in 快適さ.
How do you pronounce it?
kaiteki
Did you know?
- To describe the 'comfort' of a piece of clothing, Japanese speakers rarely use 快適 and instead use 心地よい or 楽, the latter of which literally means 'easy'.
- Japanese weather reports use a specific term 快適指数, or 'comfort index', to describe how temperature and humidity feel on the skin.
- The kanji in 快適 are 快 (pleasant/cheerful) and 適 (suitable/fit). This implies that true physical comfort is not just about luxury, but about how well a setting 'fits' your needs.
Examples in context
- 快適なオフィスに座って戦争を語るのは、たやすいことだ。It's easy to say this and that about war from the comfort of an office chair.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 快適 when describing the comfort of a setting like an office chair.Tatoeba #13882149 by Suzumeya_Meiya, translation #13909116 by end
- あなたを慰めますI will comfort you.
- 大丈夫、なぐさめるよIt's okay, I'll comfort you.
- いつでも心の支えになるからねI'll always be there as your emotional support, you know?
- 頑張っているあなたを本当に尊敬しています。I truly respect your strength and determination.
- 何があっても、私はあなたを支えます。No matter what happens, I will support you.
- このホテルはとても快適です。Kono hoteru wa totemo kaiteki desu.This hotel is very comfortable.
Example conversation
Two people are talking about a new car at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki新しい車はどうですか？Atarashii kuruma wa dou desu ka?How is your new car?
- 大翔 Hirotoとても快適ですよ。Totemo kaiteki desu yo.It is very comfortable.
- 美咲 Misakiそれはよかったですね。Sore wa yokatta desu ne.That is good to hear.
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、運転しやすいです。Hai, unten shiyasui desu.Yes, it is easy to drive.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 快適, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
