JLPT N2 grammar

〜気味だmeaning and usage

Meaning

Somewhat A; a slight tendency toward A (often negative)

How to form it

  • verb (masu-stem)気味だ
  • noun気味だ
  • verb (masu-stem)/noun気味のnoun
  • verb (masu-stem)/noun気味で

How it is used

A slight sign or tendency of A, usually something unwanted: 「風邪気味」 (a touch of a cold), 「疲れ気味」. Unlike 「〜がちだ」, which says something happens often, it describes a mild present state.

Examples

  1. 最近太り気味なので食事を少なくしている。

    I've been putting on a bit of weight lately, so I'm eating less.

  2. 彼は緊張気味の声で、自己紹介を始めた。

    He began introducing himself in a slightly nervous voice.

  3. 授業が予定より遅れ気味なので、来週は少し急ぎます。

    Classes are running a little behind schedule, so we'll speed up a bit next week.

About the example 1. Slightly A; showing signs of A (happening)