Japanese grammar
What does ～がち mean? Japanese grammar N2
～がち means tends to be…; prone to… (a tendency, usually negative).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vます形 (drop ます) + がち N + がち ～がちな + N |
| Romaji | gachi |
| Meaning | tends to be…; prone to… (a tendency, usually negative) |
Forming it
| Noun | 病気 → 病気がち |
|---|---|
| Verb | 忘れる → 忘れがち |
How to use it
Indicates a RECURRING tendency, mostly something unfavorable. Attaches to the masu-stem or a limited set of nouns.
- 「がち」 = tends to... 「忘れがち」「休みがち」「曇りがち」. Very few nouns can attach to it: 病気がち・遠慮がち・伏し目がち.
- Always negative — one does not say 「成功しがち」. To express a neutral tendency, use 「傾向がある」.
- As a noun modifier, use 「がちな＋N」: 「遠慮がちな態度」.
Examples
忙しいと、食事の時間が不規則になりがちだ。
When busy, meal times tend to become irregular.
彼は子どものころから病気がちだった。
He was often sick from childhood.
Keep in mind
- Attaches to the masu-stem; very few nouns can combine with it.
- Only used for something unfavorable.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong彼は成功しがちだ。
He often succeeds.
Correct彼は成功することが多い。
「がち」 is only used for a BAD tendency.
-
Wrong雨が降るがちです。
It tends to rain.
Correct雨が降りがちです。
Attaches to the MASU-STEM 「降り」.
Exam tips
- 「がち」 = tends to (BAD); attaches to the masu-stem, modifier form 「がちな＋N」.