気持ちがある
kimochi ga aru
The English phrase "I have feelings" can be expressed in Japanese as 気持ちがある (kimochi ga aru).
This phrase is used to express that one has romantic feelings or an emotional attraction toward someone.
How do you pronounce it?
kimochi ga aru
Did you know?
- If someone responds to a confession of 気持ち with 難しい meaning 'difficult', it is almost always a polite way of saying 'no'. This avoids the social friction of a direct rejection.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of ishin-denshin describes a form of unspoken communication. Many people hope their romantic 気持ち will be understood through gestures and intuition without ever saying the phrase aloud.
- In many romantic confessions, instead of saying 'I have feelings', Japanese speakers use the verb 好きです (suki desu), which literally means 'I like you' but functions as a declaration of love.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking alone after school.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くんに、ずっと気持ちがあるの。Kenta-kun ni, zutto kimochi ga aru no.Kenta, I've had feelings for you for a long time.
- 健太 Kentaえっ、本当に？びっくりしたよ。E, hontou ni? Bikkuri shita yo.What, really? You surprised me.
- 美咲 Misakiびっくりさせてごめんね。Bikkuri sasete gomen ne.Sorry for surprising you.
- 健太 Kenta嬉しいよ。実は僕も同じ気持ちだった。Ureshii yo. Jitsu wa boku mo onaji kimochi datta.I'm happy. Actually, I felt the same way.
