Japanese grammar
What does ～がち mean? Japanese grammar N3
～がち means tend to ~; prone to ~; often ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V-ます stem (drop ます)／N + がちだ |
| Romaji | gachi |
| Meaning | tend to ~; prone to ~; often ~ |
Forming it
| Connection | V-masu, drop ます／N + がちだ |
|---|
How to use it
States a TENDENCY to fall into something, usually not good. An evaluation based on observed frequency.
- 「～がちだ」 = tends to, easily falls into: 「遅れがちだ」, 「病気がちだ」, 「忘れがちだ」.
- Attaches to the ます STEM of a verb or to a noun; almost always used for something NOT good.
- Different from 「～ぎみ」 (a slight tendency, milder degree) and 「～きらいがある」 (N1, more formal).
Examples
忙しいと、朝ご飯を抜きがちです。
When I am busy, I tend to skip breakfast.
冬は運動不足になりがちだ。
People tend to get too little exercise in winter.
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.
Keep in mind
- Attaches to the ます stem or a noun.
- Almost always used for something undesirable.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong忘れるがちです。
Correct忘れがちです。
Verbs connect via the ます stem: 忘れます → 忘れがち.
-
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 ます STEM 「降り」.
Exam tips
- 「がちだ」 = tends to (something not good); ます stem/N. For a milder degree use 「ぎみ」.