〜気味
-gimi
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N3, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
a touch of, slightly (tendency)
〜気味 means "a touch of, slightly, showing signs of". It describes a mild, current state that the speaker senses, usually an unwelcome one: a bit tired, a bit behind schedule, coming down with a cold.
Both registers. It attaches to a Vます stem (太り気味, 遅れ気味) or a noun (風邪気味, 緊張気味). Before a noun it becomes 気味の / 気味な; as an adverb 気味に. It is about how things are now, not about a repeated habit (that is 〜がち).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Vます + 気味 / N + 気味
Visual diagram
少し疲れている
Plain: a little tired.
疲れ気味だ
Showing signs of tiredness lately (mild, ongoing).
疲れがちだ
Tends to get tired often (habit, not now).
少し疲れている
Plain: a little tired.
疲れ気味だ
Showing signs of tiredness lately (mild, ongoing).
疲れがちだ
Tends to get tired often (habit, not now).
Natural examples
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.
Vます + 気味 with 少し.
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.
N + 気味: 風邪気味 = a touch of a cold.
仕事が遅れ気味で、焦っている。
しごとがおくれぎみで、あせっている。
Work is running a bit behind and I'm getting anxious.
遅れ気味で as a connective.
彼は面接の前で、少し緊張気味だった。
かれはめんせつのまえで、すこしきんちょうぎみだった。
He was a little nervous before the interview.
Observed slight state in someone else.
最近、寝不足気味なので、今日は早く寝よう。
さいきん、ねぶそくぎみなので、きょうははやくねよう。
I've been a bit short of sleep lately, so I'll go to bed early today.
気味 + な before ので.
Similar grammar and the difference
Repeated tendency over time; 気味 is a present, mild state. Compare side by side
〜っぽい
A quality or impression (子供っぽい); not a temporary state.
〜そうだ
Appearance based on what you see; 気味 is a felt slight degree.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 子供の頃は病気気味だった。
- ✓
- 子供の頃は病気がちだった。
- Why
- A long-term tendency is がち; 気味 is for a slight current state.
- ✗
- 疲れる気味だ。
- ✓
- 疲れ気味だ。
- Why
- Attach to the Vます stem.
- ✗
- 元気気味だ。
- ✓
- 少し元気になってきた。
- Why
- 気味 is used for undesirable or at least non-positive states.
Common nouns: 風邪気味, 疲れ気味, 緊張気味, 不足気味, 焦り気味. Common verb stems: 太り気味, 遅れ気味, 上がり気味, 下がり気味, 押され気味. 気味 is read ぎみ in this pattern (as a standalone noun 気味 is きみ, e.g. 気味が悪い).
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- A present mild state with 最近・ちょっと・少し and a Vます stem or noun → 気味.
- The main distractor is がち; decide by time frame (now vs. habitually).
- Watch for the modifier form 気味の/気味な before a noun; options with bare 気味 + noun are traps.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜気味 mean?
a touch of, slightly (tendency). 〜気味 means "a touch of, slightly, showing signs of". It describes a mild, current state that the speaker senses, usually an unwelcome one: a bit tired, a bit behind schedule, coming down with a cold.
How do you form 〜気味?
Vます + 気味 / N + 気味. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜気味 used?
Both registers. It attaches to a Vます stem (太り気味, 遅れ気味) or a noun (風邪気味, 緊張気味). Before a noun it becomes 気味の / 気味な; as an adverb 気味に. It is about how things are now, not about a repeated habit (that is 〜がち).
What is the difference between 〜気味 and 〜がち?
Repeated tendency over time; 気味 is a present, mild state.
What is the difference between 〜気味 and 〜っぽい?
A quality or impression (子供っぽい); not a temporary state.
What is a common mistake with 〜気味?
Wrong: 子供の頃は病気気味だった。 Right: 子供の頃は病気がちだった。 A long-term tendency is がち; 気味 is for a slight current state.
Quick check
最近ちょっと太り（ ）なので、甘い物を控えている。