Grammar › Tendency & Manner
気味(ぎみ) — “a touch of, tending toward”
A mild, low-key version of がち — a slight lean toward a state, often physical
気味 attaches to a verb stem or noun to describe a slight tendency or mild symptom — 疲れ気味 (a bit tired), 太り気味 (a touch overweight). It's softer and more low-key than がち, and is often used for physical or health-related states.
How to form it
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Verb stem/noun + 気味 | 風邪気味です — I'm coming down with a bit of a cold |
Example sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 最近、疲れ気味です。 | さいきん、つかれぎみです。 saikin、tsukaregimidesu。 | I've been feeling a bit tired lately. |
| ちょっと太り気味なので、運動を始めました。 | ちょっとふとりぎみなので、うんどうをはじめました。 chottofutorigiminanode、undouwohajimemashita。 | I'm a touch overweight, so I started exercising. |
| 風邪気味なので、今日は早く休みます。 | かぜぎみなので、きょうははやくやすみます。 kazegiminanode、kyouhahayakuyasumimasu。 | I've got a bit of a cold, so I'll turn in early today. |
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Watch out
気味 describes a mild leaning, not a confirmed state — 風邪気味 (a bit of a cold coming on) is weaker than 風邪をひいた (I have a cold); don't use it once the condition is already fully confirmed.