意気|いきiki[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounspirit; heart; disposition
   良よし、その意気いきで。↗

   That's the spirit.

• Synonym気力きりょくNeutralMental strength to endure hardship and see things through; 意気 is the proactive spirit of taking a challenge head-on.
• Synonym気きNeutralThe broadest word, covering mind, spirit, disposition and will; 「意気」 is narrower, limited to spirit and temper of mind, as in 「意気揚々」「意気投合」.
• Synonym気持ちきもちNeutralMomentary feelings and moods; 意気 is a high-spirited, forward-driving attitude, not feelings in general.
• Synonym意気込みいきごみNeutralThe drive to throw yourself into a particular undertaking; 意気 is a general, overall fighting spirit.
• Synonym気迫きはくWrittenWritten word for an unflinching, overwhelming force of spirit, as in 「気迫のこもった演技」; 意気 is buoyant, forward drive.
• Synonym気勢きせいWrittenSurging momentum, as in 「気勢を上げる」「気勢をそがれる」; 意気 is the inner spirit itself rather than its outward force.
• Synonym根性こんじょうNeutralGrit and tenacity, but also one’s basic nature, often in a bad light, as in 「根性が悪い」; 「意気」 leans toward buoyant spirit and is not used to judge someone’s nature this way.
• Synonym気概きがいWrittenWritten word for the backbone to stay unbowed by hardship; 意気 is positive high spirits, 気概 is tough, unbending resolve.
• Synonym気骨きこつWrittenWritten word for the moral backbone to hold to one's convictions and not bow to power; 意気 does not stress such steadfastness.
• Related精せいWrittenWritten single character for vigor and energy, also spirits, as in 「精を出す」; 意気 is morale, not the energy you put into work.
• Related勇気ゆうきNeutralCourage to face danger and act despite fear; 意気 is high fighting spirit and need not involve overcoming fear.
• Related気骨きこつWrittenWritten word for the moral backbone to hold to one's convictions and not bow to power; 意気 does not stress such steadfastness.
• Related活力かつりょくNeutralEnergy for activity, said of people, society or the economy, as in 「経済の活力」; 意気 applies only to a person's spirit.
• Related肝っ玉きもったまCasualColloquial for guts and grit, as in 「肝っ玉母さん」; 意気 is the forward, aggressive spirit of taking someone on, not courage as such.
• Related肝玉きもだまNeutralMeans the same as 「肝っ玉」— guts and nerve — but is used less often; 意気 is high-spirited, forward-driving spirit.
• Related血気けっきWrittenWritten word for the hot, impetuous energy of youth, as in 「血気盛ん」; 意気 is high spirits without any impulsive tinge.
• Related胆力たんりょくWrittenWritten word for fearless courage; in everyday speech 度胸 is the usual choice. 意気 is about high spirits, not nerve.
• Related精気せいきWrittenWritten word for life energy and vitality, as in 「精気がみなぎる」; 意気 is fighting spirit, not vital energy.
• Related精根せいこんWrittenWritten word for energy and perseverance, as in 「精根尽きる」「精根を傾ける」; 意気 is spirit, not the energy spent on work.
• Related荒肝あらぎもCasualColloquial word for guts, used almost only in 「荒肝を抜く」 (to startle someone); 意気 can stand on its own.
• Relatedど根性どこんじょうCasualColloquial for never-say-die grit that refuses to give up however hard things get; 意気 is high spirits, not sheer stubbornness.
• Related胆気たんきWrittenRare written word for bold courage; in everyday speech 度胸 is the usual choice. 意気 is buoyant fighting spirit.
• Antonym落胆らくたんWrittenAntonym: discouragement and disappointment, as in 「結果に落胆する」; the opposite of buoyant 意気.
• Antonym消沈しょうちんWrittenAntonym: dejection and low spirits, as in 「意気消沈」; the direct opposite of high-spirited 意気.

Use 「意気」 for a positive, forward-driving spirit, as in 「意気揚々」. For courage pick 「勇気」, for mental stamina 「気力」, for unbending backbone 「気概」, for drive toward a specific task 「意気込み」; 「消沈」 and 「落胆」 are its opposites.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 積極的せっきょくてきに相手あいてに当あたろうという気概きがい。