士気(しき)

しき
noun
morale, fighting spirit
1. morale, fighting spirit
The level of confidence, enthusiasm, and willingness to work or fight within a group.
チームの士気(しき)が高(たか)い。
The team's morale is high.
連敗(れんぱい)で士気(しき)が下(さ)がっている。
Morale has dropped due to a losing streak.
監督(かんとく)の言葉(ことば)で選手(せんしゅ)たちの士気(しき)が一気(いっき)に上(あ)がった。
The coach's words instantly boosted the players' morale.

Refers to the collective spirit and motivation of a group. Originally a military term but now widely used in sports, business, and organizational contexts.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 士気(しき)が高(たか)い / 低(ひく)い — morale is high / low
  • 士気(しき)が上(あ)がる / 下(さ)がる — morale rises / drops
  • 士気(しき)を高(たか)める — to boost morale
  • 士気(しき)を鼓舞(こぶ)する — to inspire morale
  • 士気(しき)に関(かか)わる — to affect morale

USAGE:
Typically used for groups rather than individuals. Common in news reporting about military units, sports teams, and company workforces.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • やる気(き) — motivation (individual, informal)
  • 意気込(いきご)み — enthusiasm, eagerness (can be individual or group)
  • モチベーション — motivation (loanword, common in business)
general
Added 2026.3.27 11:08
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