Japanese with Manga

Thinking it cost more with 〜気がする

Grammar Explanation: Thinking or feeling something with 〜気がする

Manga panel from orange showing example of Thinking it cost more with 〜気がする.
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As thanks for Naho making him lunches, Kakeru gives her a jewel-encrusted hair clip. In her room later, Naho looks over the piece.

菜穂(なほ):
「絶対(ぜったい)お弁当代(べんとうだい)より高(たか)い気(き)がする」
“I think it definitely cost more than lunch.”
Literal: “I feel like it's definitely more expensive than the lunch cost.”

Key Points

1〜気(き)がする = I feel
  • In this pattern, 気(き) is not “spirit” in a literal sense; the whole phrase expresses a personal impression.
2より makes a comparison
  • The comparison is より 高(たか)い = “more expensive than”.
3絶対(ぜったい) adds strong confidence, even with a subjective phrase
  • 気(き)がする is still an impression, not hard proof.
  • But starting with 絶対(ぜったい) makes her sound very convinced of that impression.
4Why this is softer than a direct statement
  • Saying 高(たか)い alone would sound more definite.
  • 「高(たか)い気(き)がする」 leaves a little room for uncertainty.
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