地味
Meaning in Englishplain, simple, conservative
Animated kanji stroke order
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Word context
What it means
地味 means plain or subdued in appearance or style. It describes things that do not attract attention and are understated in design, fashion, or behavior, often contrasted with flashy or fashionable options.
Main meanings
- plain or inconspicuous in appearance or design (jimi)
- modest or understated in fashion, color, or taste (jimi)
- not flashy or attention-seeking; downplayed or subdued in overall impression (jimi)
- when describing a person, reserved or unassuming in personality or presence (jimi)
How to use it
Used in casual to semi-formal speech to describe appearance, design, or taste. In fashion or product discourse it signals a deliberate lack of flashiness, while in personal descriptions it can denote modesty or practicality. Common in everyday conversation and media commentary without strong positive or negative judgment.
Variants and close terms
- 控えめ (hikaeme) – modest
- 素朴 (soboku) – simple, rustic
- 派手ではない (hade de wa nai) – not flashy
- antonyms: 派手 (hade) – flashy
Composition
- 地: earth, ground
- 味: taste, flavor
- Together they form a compound that conveys a restrained, unadorned impression, metaphorically a 'earthy taste' rather than bright or flashy flavor.
Etymology
Phonetic evolution jimi arose as a native compound formed from 地 with the on'yomi ji and 味 with the kun'yomi mi, resulting in the two-kanji word 地味 that carries the intended meaning through its pronunciation.
Word class
adjective (形容詞・イ形容詞)