気味
Looking, Feeling a little, Touch of, Tending to, Slightly
Structure
Noun + 気味
Explanation
Originating from the noun 気味, which means 'sensation' or 'feeling', ぎみ is a suffix used to indicate that there are slight signs of (A). ぎみ can be attached to nouns or the conjunctive form of verbs. It is typically translated as 'a bit (A)', 'somewhat (A)', 'tending to be (A)', or 'feeling a little (A)'.
- 最近寝不足気味だから、早く寝なきゃ。I've been a little sleep-deprived lately, so I need to get to bed earlier.
- 成績が下がり気味だから、少し心配だ。My grades have been dropping a bit, so I'm a little worried.
- 夏バテ気味だったので、今日は家でゆっくりした。I was feeling the effects of the summer heat, so I just took it easy at home today.
ぎみ reflects the speaker's personal observation or feeling, and can be used to describe one's own condition, as well as the perceived state of other people or things.
- 子供が退屈気味だったので、おもちゃをあげた。The child seemed a bit bored, so I gave him a toy.
- 冷蔵庫の野菜が古くなり気味だから、今日使わないと。The vegetables in the fridge are starting to get a little old, so I'd better use them today.
- 太り気味なのかな？このズボン、きつい。Am I gaining a little weight? These pants feel tight.
Since ぎみ only denotes 'slight signs of (A)', it is a useful way to soften a statement, making the speaker sound less assertive or direct.
- 田中さん、最近落ち込み気味じゃない？何かあった？Tanaka-san, you seem a little down lately. Did something happen?
Caution
Even though it is derived from 気味, the suffix is always pronounced with a ぎ (gi), not a き (ki). This sound change helps distinguish the grammatical suffix from the original noun.
Examples
最近、寝不足気味で、仕事に集中できない。
I've been a bit sleep-deprived lately, so I can't concentrate on my work.
新しいクラスで、まだみんなと遠慮気味に話している。
I'm still talking to everyone in my new class a little hesitantly.
あのモデルは少し痩せ気味で心配だ。
That model is a little on the thin side; I'm worried.
最近、人の名前を忘れ気味だ。
Lately, I've been a bit forgetful with people's names.
テレワークになってから、運動不足気味です。
I've been a bit lacking in exercise since I started working from home.
期末試験の成績が下がり気味で、がっかりした。
I was disappointed because my final exam scores were trending a little lower.
彼はどうしていつも怒り気味に話すんだろう。
I wonder why he always speaks with a hint of anger.
今年は野菜が不足気味で値段が高い。
Vegetables are in somewhat short supply this year, so the prices are high.
彼は何か悩みがあるのか、いつも俯き気味に歩いている。
I wonder if something is troubling him; he always walks with his head slightly downcast.
彼は難しい仕事は敬遠気味だ。
He has a tendency to shy away from difficult work.
急な質問に、彼は戸惑い気味に答えた。
He answered the sudden question with a touch of confusion.
階段を上っただけで息切れ気味だ。年かな。
I get a little out of breath just from climbing the stairs. I must be getting old.