1.
to pay attention to; to be attentive to; to take care of
To direct one's awareness and consideration toward something or someone. Implies thoughtful, ongoing attention rather than a momentary glance.
安全に気を配る。
To pay attention to safety.
彼女は周りの人に気を配れる人だ。
She is someone who is considerate of those around her.
健康に気を配って、毎日野菜を食べるようにしている。
I'm mindful of my health, so I try to eat vegetables every day.
A common expression meaning to direct one's attention and care toward something. Composed of 気 (spirit, attention) and 配る (to distribute), so the literal sense is "to distribute one's attention." Implies a sustained, proactive awareness rather than a momentary focus.
PARTICLE PATTERN:
- [noun]に気を配る: to pay attention to [noun]
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 安全に気を配る: to pay attention to safety
- 健康に気を配る: to be mindful of one's health
- 周囲に気を配る: to be attentive to one's surroundings
- 細部に気を配る: to pay attention to detail
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 気をつける: to be careful — focuses on avoiding danger or mistakes, more about caution
- 注意を払う: to pay attention — more formal, similar meaning
- 目を配る: to keep an eye on — emphasizes visual monitoring
- 心遣い: consideration, thoughtfulness — noun form of a similar concept