In Dragonball Z, "ki" started out as a minor thing. What exactly is ki? Ki not only applies to the Dragonball world , but to the real world itself. (In the real world ki is also known as "chi")

    In the Dragonball world, ki refers to a person's "energy" that they give out (usually when they fight). Every person has a distinct ki, so not everyone has the same energy. The ki then can be recoqnized, once a person has encounter one's ki.

    Once Gokou returns to Earth, from the battle on Namek, Gokou learns a new teleport. This move uses the basis of ki. Gokou is able to transfer himself into any place. That is only if the place he is transporting to contain a ki that Gokou recoqnizes. This gives him an advantage when helping friend and family in need. (This move is called Shunkan Idou, which basically translate to "Instantaneous Movement." In the DBZ dub, by FUNimation this move is refered to as "Instant Transmission.")

    Ki also reveals a person's personality. A person's ki can give off certain "vibes," which tells if this person has good intentions or not. Basically, a bad person may give off "bad" ki, and good person gives off "good" ki. Ki is also tied in with a person's power. If a fighter raises his or her ki, more and more energy is released. *This explains why the area around the fighter is "shaken." Once a person lowers their ki, less energy is released, and they use less power. But once they raise their ki, all that energy is released, and are usually not gained. That is why when a fighter is injured they lose power because of that loss in energy. The good fighters may go through vigorous training just to use their ki and power effectively. So extremely powerful fighters, with huge power levels may have more energy and endurance to use more devastating moves. These moves, however, may take up more energy than others.

    During the show each fighter eventually develop a unique skill involving ki... Actually hiding and sensing them! Hiding one's ki, is another key factor in battles. A person could hide ki, so that their opponent could not easily find them. Or hide "part" of it, to fool opponents, who relies strictly on power levels. If they could hide thei ki, they could also easily raise them. (For example, the battle with Radditz, Gokou, and Piccolo in the Saiya-jin saga) Sensing ki, is also important, as hiding one's ki. Sensing ki requires some training, or by developing it. For example Vegeta could not sense Gokou's ki heading toward the battle field, but he eventually learns this skill just by observing the "Earth warriors" using it.

   Ki is an important trait and skill in the Dragonball world. This is important when battles take place. A person could fool their opponents easily by using ki. Ki, if used properly could be an advantage in determining outcomes of certain battles. Ki may not be the most important factor in fights/battles, but they do certainly gives most fighters an advantage.