〜気味 / 〜ぎみ
gimi
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N2, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
A touch of… / slightly…
〜気味 describes a slight, current condition, usually one you don't want: 風邪気味 = a touch of a cold, 太り気味 = putting on a bit of weight. It works like a noun/な-adjective (気味だ, 気味の, 気味で).
Talking about health, mood, and progress. Common: 疲れ気味, 緊張気味, 遅れ気味, 不足気味, 上がり気味.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Verb (ます stem) + 気味Noun + 気味Followed by だ / の + Noun / で
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Time | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 風邪気味 | right now, slight | 今日は風邪気味だ |
| 風邪をひきがち | often, a tendency | 冬は風邪をひきがちだ |
| 太り気味 | currently a bit heavy | 最近太り気味だ |
Natural examples
風邪気味なので、今日は早く帰ります。
かぜぎみなので、きょうははやくかえります。
I have a slight cold, so I'll go home early today.
N + 気味: a slight cold today.
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 bit of weight recently.
V-ます + 気味: a bit heavier lately.
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: running slightly behind.
面接の前で、彼は少し緊張気味だった。
めんせつのまえで、かれはすこしきんちょうぎみだった。
Before the interview, he was a little nervous.
緊張気味: slightly tense at that moment.
最近、睡眠不足気味で、集中できない。
さいきん、すいみんぶそくぎみで、しゅうちゅうできない。
I've been a bit short on sleep lately and can't concentrate.
気味で connects to a result.
Similar grammar and the difference
A repeated tendency. 気味 is a present slight state. Compare side by side
Appearance or quality; 気味 is a condition. Compare side by side
少し〜 / ちょっと〜
Plain "a little"; 気味 makes it a compact description.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 彼は遅刻気味だ。(intended: often late)
- ✓
- 彼は遅刻しがちだ。
- Why
- A habit uses がち; 気味 would mean "slightly late right now".
- ✗
- 疲れる気味
- ✓
- 疲れ気味
- Why
- Verbs attach with the ます stem.
- ✗
- 今日は元気気味だ。
- ✓
- 今日は少し元気だ。
- Why
- 気味 is for undesirable or neutral-negative states, not positive ones.
気味 describes the present slight condition; がち describes a repeated tendency. Common: 疲れ気味, 緊張気味, 不足気味. 気味 is polite-sounding because it understates: 風邪気味で is a common reason for leaving early.
JLPT N3 tips
On the exam
- Present slight condition + 最近 / 今日は / ちょっと = 気味.
- General tendency + よく / いつも / 〜すると = がち. This pair is tested together.
- Words like 疲れ, 風邪, 太り, 遅れ, 緊張 before the blank strongly suggest 気味.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜気味 / 〜ぎみ mean?
A touch of… / slightly…. 〜気味 describes a slight, current condition, usually one you don't want: 風邪気味 = a touch of a cold, 太り気味 = putting on a bit of weight. It works like a noun/な-adjective (気味だ, 気味の, 気味で).
How do you form 〜気味 / 〜ぎみ?
Verb (ます stem) + 気味 / Noun + 気味 / Followed by だ / の + Noun / で. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜気味 / 〜ぎみ used?
Talking about health, mood, and progress. Common: 疲れ気味, 緊張気味, 遅れ気味, 不足気味, 上がり気味.
What is the difference between 〜気味 / 〜ぎみ and 〜がち?
A repeated tendency. 気味 is a present slight state.
What is the difference between 〜気味 / 〜ぎみ and 〜っぽい?
Appearance or quality; 気味 is a condition.
What is a common mistake with 〜気味 / 〜ぎみ?
Wrong: 彼は遅刻気味だ。(intended: often late) Right: 彼は遅刻しがちだ。 A habit uses がち; 気味 would mean "slightly late right now".
Quick check
今日は少し（ ）なので、早めに帰ります。