気配
けはい · kehai · JLPT N2 · noun
indication
🔆 気 (ki, energy/spirit) + 配 (hai, distribute): energy spreading out is a sign of someone nearby
A 気配 is the trace of a presence you sense before you see it. 気 means energy or spirit and 配 means to distribute or spread, so it is the spirit that gives you a hint.
配 — wine vessel 酉 + self 己
Originally depicted a person 己 beside a wine jar 酉, suggesting matching or distributing wine at ceremonies. From this came the meaning 'to pair, match, distribute,' and later 'to deserve' or 'to mix/compound.' The 酉 component gives the wine-related semantic root, while 己 contributes phonetically.