Meaning and Usage
The suffix ～気味 (～ぎみ) is used to express a slight tendency or feeling toward something, often with a negative or undesirable nuance. It means "a bit ~" or "slightly ~" and is attached to nouns or verb stems to indicate a mild state or condition.
Common Contexts
It is frequently used to describe physical or emotional states, such as feeling tired, sick, or stressed. It can also describe behavioral tendencies, like being late or careless.
Collocations and Patterns
- 疲れ気味 (つかれぎみ): feeling a bit tired
- 風邪気味 (かぜぎみ): showing signs of a cold
- 遅刻気味 (ちこくぎみ): tending to be late
These collocations are common in everyday conversation to gently express concern or observation.
Register and Politeness
～気味 is neutral and can be used in both casual and polite contexts. It is often found in spoken language and informal writing.
Common Learner Mistake
Avoid using ～気味 with positive states or strong emotions, as it usually implies a slight negative or problematic condition. For example, saying "元気気味" (slightly energetic) is unnatural.
Use ～気味 to soften statements about mild problems or tendencies, making your speech sound more natural and nuanced.