気(き)が利(き)く

きがきく
expression
attentive, thoughtful, tactful
personality
1. attentive, thoughtful, considerate
Describes someone who notices what others need and acts accordingly without being asked.
彼女(かのじょ)は本当(ほんとう)に気(き)が利(き)く。
She's really attentive.
気(き)が利(き)く後輩(こうはい)がコーヒーを入(い)れてくれた。
A thoughtful junior colleague made me coffee.
もっと気(き)を利(き)かせてほしい。
I wish you'd be more attentive.
彼(かれ)は気(き)が利(き)くから、いつも助(たす)かる。困(こま)っていると声(こえ)をかけてくれる。
He's so attentive that he's always a great help. He speaks up when I'm in trouble.
新人(しんじん)なのに気(き)が利(き)いて、上司(じょうし)からも同僚(どうりょう)からも好(す)かれている。
Despite being new, she's so thoughtful that she's liked by both supervisors and colleagues.
2. witty, clever, stylish
Describes something that shows good taste or clever design.
気(き)の利(き)いたプレゼントをもらった。
I received a clever gift.
気(き)の利(き)いた一言(ひとこと)で場(ば)が和(なご)んだ。
A witty remark lightened the mood.
このレストランは料理(りょうり)だけでなく、気(き)の利(き)いたサービスでも人気(にんき)がある。
This restaurant is popular not only for its food but also for its tasteful service.
彼(かれ)はいつも気(き)の利(き)いたことを言(い)うから、話(はな)していて楽(たの)しい。
He always says something witty, so it's fun to talk with him.
友人(ゆうじん)がくれた手作(てづく)りのアルバムは、写真(しゃしん)の選(えら)び方(かた)が気(き)が利(き)いていて、見(み)ていて涙(なみだ)が出(で)た。
The handmade album my friend gave me had such a thoughtful selection of photos that it brought me to tears.

Structure: 気(き) (spirit/attention) + が + 利(き)く (to be effective). Literally 'one's attention works well.'

Common patterns

  • Prenominal form: 気(き)の利(き)いた + noun (a thoughtful/clever [noun])
  • Negative: 気(き)が利(き)かない (not attentive, inconsiderate)

Related words

Similar words

  • 気(き)が利(き)く describes someone perceptive about social situations
  • 頭(あたま)がいい describes general intelligence

Related Words

Related: 気配(きくば)り (thoughtfulness, consideration)
Compare: 頭(あたま)がいい (intelligent (general intelligence))
Related: 気(き)が回(まわ)る (to be alert to others' needs)
core
Added 2026.1.18 19:03 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06500/06880_kigakiku