Japanese with Manga
Learning through examples in manga

Interested in him with 気がある

Idiom Explanation: Having an interest in something with 気がある

Manga panel from ふらいんぐうぃっち showing example of Interested in him with 気がある.
ふらいんぐうぃっち » Volume 5 » Page 57

Makoto and her family head out on a trip to the river. When they stop to pick up Kei’s friend Nao, Akane greets her with, “Howdy, Kei’s girlfriend!” Nao tells her she’s wrong.

圭(けい):
「よっオレのカノジョ」
“Yo, my girlfriend.”
なお:
「やめてよ」
“Stop that!”
茜(あかね):
「と言(い)いつつ気(き)があったりするんでしょ？」
“Although you say that, you're interested in him, aren't you?”

Key Points

  1. 気がある means to be interested romantically here

    • Akane suggests Nao might have feelings for Kei.

    • The context of being called his girlfriend makes the romantic reading clear.

  2. と言いつつ works like と言いつつも here

    • Nao says “stop that”, but Akane teases that she may still be interested.

    • The omitted も leaves the same contrast: “although you say that”.

  3. 気があったりする softens the accusation

    • 〜たりする makes the suggestion indirect: “maybe you’re interested or something”.

    • Akane is teasing Nao rather than stating her feelings as a fact.

  4. でしょ？ makes it a leading question

    • Akane expects the idea to land as plausible or embarrassing.

    • The line reads as playful teasing, not a neutral request for information.

See Also