ような気がする【ようなきがする】

The expression ような気がする is used to express a vague feeling, intuition, or impression about something. It conveys that the speaker has a subjective sense that something is the case, without strong evidence or certainty. It translates naturally as "I have a feeling that…", "it feels like…", or "I get the sense that…".

This expression combines よう (appearing like / seeming like) + な (attributive form) + き気 (feeling) + が (subject marker) + する (to do / to feel). The literal sense is "a feeling as though ~ occurs."

Basic usage

Attach ような気がする to a plain-form clause to express an uncertain impression:

With different tenses and forms

The clause before ような気がする can be in various tenses:

• Past:
  まえに前にこのえいが映画をみた見たようなきがするような気がする。

  I feel like I've seen this movie before.
  • Negative:
    かれ彼はこない来ないようなきがするような気がする。

    I have a feeling he won't come.

Nuance

This expression is softer and less assertive than とおもう思う (I think). While と思う states an opinion, ような気がする conveys a gut feeling or hunch – something the speaker senses but cannot explain clearly or back up with evidence. It is used when the speaker is being deliberately tentative or modest about their impression.

Polite form

In polite speech, する becomes します:

Related expression: 気がする

The broader pattern ～気がする means "to have a feeling that ~" and can be used with other preceding forms as well. ような気がする is one of the most common and natural ways to use this pattern, particularly when expressing an impression based on a full clause.