気分 vs 気持ち: physical or psychological?


Both words can be translated as **feeling**. However, after referring to some
online dictionaries and websites, it is suggested that one refers to a
physical feeling and the other refers to a psychological feeling.

The reason for this question is that some of these materials are in conflict
with each other. Some say:

> 気分: physical feeling
>
> 気持ち: psychological feeling

and others say:

> 気分: psychological feeling
>
> 気持ち: physical feeling

Which is correct? Or, alternatively, can both words refer to either a
psychological and physical feeling depending on context?




Both 気持ち and 気分 **primarily** refer to something psychological, and the
difference is explained in this
[question](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/15472/5010). In short, 気持ち
tends to refer to a concrete "feeling" or "thoughts" about something, whereas
気分 refers to more abstract, temporary and uncontrollable "mood".

  * 彼の気持ちを知りたい。  
I want to know how he feels (about me/this).

  * 今日は踊りたい気分だ。  
I'm in the mood of dancing.

However, both 気持ち and 気分 **sometimes** refer to something physical (i.e.,
related to body), too.

  * 気持ちが悪い (or single-word 気持ち悪い) primarily means "I'm disgusted", but it can mean "I feel sick/nauseous", too. Seasickness typically causes this symptom.
  * 気分が良い primarily means "to be in a good mood (psychologically)", but it can also mean "to feel better (physically)" when you are ill. Unless you have a mental disorder, if a physician said 今日のご気分はどうですか to you, it's about your physical condition, not your mental state.

If you mean "physical feeling" in the sense of "touch/texture", neither 気持ち
nor 気分 refers to that, but you can use 手触り (てざわり). For example 滑らかな手触りのハンカチ
means "handkerchief with a smooth texture".

