気(き)が置(お)けない

きがおけない
expression
relaxed; easygoing; with whom one need not stand on ceremony
idiompersonality
1. relaxed; easygoing; close enough that no reserve is needed
Describes a person or relationship so familiar that one can relax completely and speak freely, without any need for reserve or formality.
気(き)が置(お)けない友人(ゆうじん)。
A friend I can be completely at ease with.
彼(かれ)とは気(き)が置(お)けない仲(なか)だ。
He and I are on relaxed, easy terms.
気(き)が置(お)けない仲間(なかま)と集(あつ)まって、夜遅(よるおそ)くまで昔話(むかしばなし)をした。
I got together with friends I feel completely comfortable with, and we talked about old times late into the night.

Literally "cannot place one's mind" (on guard): there is no need to keep one's reserve. It is a compliment, and almost always modifies a person: 気(き)が置(お)けない友人(ゆうじん) / 相手(あいて) / 仲間(なかま).

Watch out

  • Many Japanese speakers now misread it as "untrustworthy, cannot let one's guard down," the opposite of its standard meaning. Surveys by the Agency for Cultural Affairs have found this reading widespread among younger people. Use it in the standard sense, but be aware that a listener may take it the other way.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 油断(ゆだん)する (cannot let one's guard down)
general
Added 2026.9.28 9:59 · Revised 2026.9.28 9:59
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