spirit · feeling

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 気 has 6 strokes and denotes spirit or a state of feeling.
• Basic usage: 元気 is read げんき, and 人気 is read にんき.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Health and energy
  • 祖母はとても元気だった means that the grandmother was very well and full of energy.
  • 元気に庭を走り回っている means running around the garden energetically.
  • 元気に describes how the action is performed.
• Popularity with others
  • 木製の玩具が人気です means that wooden toys are popular.
  • 読者の間で人気を集めた means that someone or something gained popularity among readers.