noun
kI
kee
noun
1
The life force or inner energy said to flow through the body, central to martial arts such as aikido and karate.
"The instructor told beginners to breathe from the belly and let their ki settle."
"Practitioners believe channeling ki correctly is what gives a strike real power."
2
A tropical plant (Cordyline fruticosa) native to the Pacific islands and parts of Asia, grown for its colourful leaves and traditional uses.
"Hawaiian dancers often wear skirts made from ki leaves."
How to Use KI
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the "life energy" concept from East Asian martial arts and philosophy, or a Pacific-island plant used for leaves and fibre.
Word Forms
kis plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “kI”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The instructor told beginners to breathe from the belly and let their _____ settle.
Etymology
From the Japanese character 気/氣, meaning vital energy or spirit — the same concept behind Chinese "qi".