心持(こころも)ち

こころもち
noun, adverb
feeling, mood; slightly
emotionquantity
1. feeling, mood, frame of mind
One's inner feeling or emotional state. A somewhat refined way to describe how one feels or the emotional atmosphere.
心持(こころも)ちがいい。
It feels pleasant.
春(はる)の陽気(ようき)で、心持(こころも)ちが明(あか)るくなった。
The spring weather brightened my mood.
旅(たび)から帰(かえ)って、懐(なつ)かしいわが家(や)に着(つ)いたときの心持(こころも)ちは格別(かくべつ)だった。
The feeling of arriving home after a trip was something special.
2. slightly, a little, a touch
Used adverbially to mean 'just a little' or 'slightly.' Indicates a very small degree of change or difference.
心持(こころも)ち左(ひだり)に寄(よ)せてください。
Please move it slightly to the left.
今日(きょう)は心持(こころも)ち暖(あたた)かい。
It's a touch warmer today.
塩(しお)を心持(こころも)ち多(おお)めに入(い)れると、味(あじ)が引(ひ)き締(し)まる。
Adding just a touch more salt brings out the flavor.

Usage

In sense 1 (noun), 心持(こころも)ち is a refined alternative to 気持(きも)ち (feeling). It is more literary and introspective.

In sense 2 (adverb), 心持(こころも)ち indicates a very slight degree — smaller than 少(すこ)し or ちょっと. It is commonly used when giving instructions that require minute adjustments.

Similar words

  • 心持(こころも)ち: feeling (refined); slightly (very small amount)
  • 気持(きも)ち: feeling (everyday); slightly (as adverb)
  • 少(すこ)し: a little (more than 心持(こころも)ち)
  • わずかに: slightly, marginally (formal)

Related Words

Synonym: 気持(きも)ち (feeling)
Compare: 少(すこ)し (a little)
general
Added 2026.2.22 14:56 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
12500/12696_kokoromochi