1.
temperament; disposition; nature
The innate character traits and tendencies of a person or group. Refers to deep-seated personality characteristics that are relatively stable, rather than temporary moods or attitudes.
彼は芸術家気質だ。
He has an artistic temperament.
穏やかな気質の人が多い地域だ。
It's a region where people tend to have a mild temperament.
島国という環境が、独特の国民気質を育んだと言われている。
It is said that the island-nation environment fostered a unique national temperament.
READING NOTE:
This word has two common readings: 気質 and 気質. The reading きしつ is used in formal and general contexts to describe innate temperament. The reading かたぎ (often written as 堅気 or 気質) specifically describes the characteristic spirit of a group or profession and has a more traditional flavor (e.g., 職人気質, artisan spirit).
USAGE:
気質 describes deep, stable personality traits. Compare with 性格 (personality, character), which is broader and more commonly used in everyday speech. 気質 is more literary and often used to characterize groups or types of people.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 芸術家気質: artistic temperament
- 国民気質: national character
- 県民気質: prefectural character
- 穏やかな気質: mild temperament
- 気質が合う: to be temperamentally compatible