Japanese grammar
What does ～気味 mean? Japanese grammar N2
～気味 means a bit…; somewhat… (a slight tendency).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + 気味 Vます形（drop ます）+ 気味 ～気味の + N |
| Romaji | gimi |
| Meaning | a bit…; somewhat… (a slight tendency) |
Forming it
| Noun | 風邪 → 風邪気味 |
|---|---|
| Verb | 太る → 太り気味 |
How to use it
Expresses a slight lean toward a state, to a mild degree. Mostly something unpleasant.
- 「気味」 is read 「ぎみ」 as a suffix: 風邪気味 (feeling slightly under the weather), 疲れ気味, 太り気味, 遅れ気味.
- Only attaches to a NOUN or the MASU STEM — not to an i-adjective (「暗い気味」 is wrong; that would be said as 「暗め」).
- Always a MILD degree and mostly negative. To modify a noun, use 「気味の＋N」.
Examples
最近寝不足気味で、少し疲れている。
Lately I have been a bit short on sleep and feel tired.
電車が遅れ気味なので、早めに出よう。
The trains are running a bit late, so let us leave early.
Keep in mind
- Does not attach to an i-adjective.
- A mild degree, usually negative.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこの部屋は暗い気味だ。
This room is a bit dark.
Correctこの部屋は少し暗めだ。
「気味」 does not attach to an i-adjective; the mild degree of an adjective uses 「～め」.
-
Wrong今日は元気気味だ。
He looks well today.
Correct今日は元気そうだ。
「気味」 is mostly used for something unpleasant.
Exam tips
- 「気味」 = slightly… (noun/masu stem, usually negative); for adjectives use 「～め」.