ki

Everyday

1. (Japanese, Korean) Ki is a word for life energy or inner strength, used in martial arts like aikido and karate; in Chinese it is «qi» or «chi». tree →
2. «ki» is also a piece of longer words such as «kick», «kite» or «ski». tree →

In the lessons

In martial arts classes, teachers talk about breathing and «ki» (inner energy); this is a belief from East Asian traditions, not a measured thing in science. In Scrabble, «ki» is allowed in some word lists. On its own it is not an everyday English word.

Examples

• In aikido, the teacher tells us to focus our ki. tree →
• «Ki» is the Japanese word for life energy. tree →
• The Chinese word «qi» means something similar. tree →
• Breathe slowly and feel your ki, the sensei said. tree →
• «Ki» is the first part of «kite». tree →
• Some Scrabble players use «ki» to get points. tree →

Note

Not an English word on its own: borrowed from Japanese/Korean or a fragment. Sounds like «key». Belief in ki belongs to traditions; science does not measure it as a kind of energy.