Thinking or feeling something with 〜気がする

Grammar: Conjecture » 〜気がする

気(き)がする following a word or phrase ending with a verb, adjective, or noun, has the meaning of “I feel that ~” (「〜と感(かん)じる」) or “I think that ~” (「〜と思(おも)う」).

There is a slight difference in connotation. 「〜と思(おも)う」 is used one clearly stating one’s thoughts, whereas 「〜気(き)がする」 is more indirect. The latter may be seen as closer to 「たぶん〜と思う」 (“I think that perhaps ~”).

To express conjecture (推量(すいりょう)), feeling (感覚(かんかく)), or impression (印象(いんしょう)), ような may be used. In this case, the meaning does not change.

Examples

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Feeling running is better after all with 〜気がする

Mina proclaims she knows a shocking fact about being caught in the rain: it doesn’t matter whether you walk or run because you’ll get wet the same amount either way. Sanae says she heard running it better to avoid getting as wet. Mina says if it starts raining, she’ll walk, and Sanae has to run.

サナエ:

「歩(ある)くんじゃなかったの？」

“Weren't you going to walk?”

ミナ:

「やっぱ走(はし)った方(ほう)が濡(ぬ)れない気(き)がするーーー」

“Sure enough, I feel running's better to not get wet!”

Feeling you've gained weight with 〜気がする

Nao sees Makoto’s cat, Chito. She stops to pet the cat when she notices something.

なお:

「もしかして太(ふと)ったぁ？前(まえ)より一(ひと)回(まわ)り大(おお)きくなった気(き)がするねー」

“Could it be you've gotten fatter? I feel you've grown a size bigger than before.”

Thinking it cost more with 〜気がする

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.”

Thinking your clothes were baggier with 〜気がする

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