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JLPT N2 grammar comparison

〜がちだ vs 〜気味

By Nihongo PathUpdated

The difference

From the 〜がちだ lesson

〜気味: A slight, present state (風邪気味), not a repeated tendency.

From the 〜気味 lesson

〜がちだ: Repeated tendency over time; 気味 is a present, mild state.

Side by side

〜がちだ

-gachi da · JLPT N2

Meaning
tend to, prone to (usually undesirable)
Formation
Vます + がち / N + がち

  1. 最近、仕事が忙しくて、朝食を抜きがちだ。

    さいきん、しごとがいそがしくて、ちょうしょくをぬきがちだ。

    Lately I'm busy with work and tend to skip breakfast.

  2. 子供の頃は病気がちだった。

    こどものころはびょうきがちだった。

    I was sickly as a child.

Full lesson on 〜がちだ

〜気味

-gimi · JLPT N2

Meaning
a touch of, slightly (tendency)
Formation
Vます + 気味 / N + 気味

  1. 最近少し太り気味だ。

    さいきんすこしふとりぎみだ。

    I've been putting on a little weight lately.

  2. 風邪気味なので、早く帰ります。

    かぜぎみなので、はやくかえります。

    I feel like I'm coming down with a cold, so I'll go home early.

Full lesson on 〜気味

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 〜がちだ and 〜気味?

A slight, present state (風邪気味), not a repeated tendency.

When do you use 〜気味 instead of 〜がちだ?

Repeated tendency over time; 気味 is a present, mild state.