Slightly ~ / a bit ~
often negative or worrying
Open details
Form: N / V-ますstem + 気味
Use when: show a slight tendency, often not ideal (tired, busy, cold).
Contrast: broader/casual tendency → 〜っぽい; visual “seems” → 〜げ.
Avoid: extreme degree; it’s mild.
Mini example
このごろ
I’m a bit short on sleep lately.
Looks ~ (from appearance)
emotion/attitude seen on the surface
Open details
Form: i-adj stem／na-adj stem／V-たい + げ（e.g., 寂しげ／不満げ／言いたげ）
Use when: describe a visible vibe rather than fact.
Contrast: “likely to happen” → 〜そうだ; “slight tendency” → 〜気味.
Avoid: objective properties (✖ 大きげ).
Mini example
She has a lonely look in her eyes.
~ish / tends to ~ (casual)
quality, color, or habit
Open details
Form: N／V-ますstem + っぽい（子供っぽい／忘れっぽい／黒っぽい）
Use when: casual “ish”, or “easily does ~”.
Contrast: formal/slight nuance → 〜気味; pure appearance → 〜げ.
Avoid: official/business writing.
Mini example
He’s forgetful, so he takes notes.
Pretend to be ~ / put on ~
often critical/ironic
Open details
Form: N + ぶる／ぶって（大人ぶる／上品ぶる／知ったかぶる）
Use when: someone affects a style/role.
Contrast: stable trait → 〜っぽい; mere appearance → 〜げ.
Nuance: carries criticism or teasing.
Mini example
He always acts like a specialist.
Freshly ~ / just ~
result just done
Open details
Form: V-ますstem + たて（焼きたて／できたて／入社したて）
Use when: something is freshly made/just started.
Contrast: “just did” report → 〜たところ (different unit).
Note: limited to common collocations.
Mini example
Freshly baked bread smells great.
There’s something ~ about it
soft evaluation (often formal)
Open details
Form: V-plain／Adj + ものがある
Use when: make a measured judgment (“somewhat ~ / quite ~”).
Contrast: strong personal feeling → 〜てならない etc. (different unit).
Register: suits essays/reports.
Mini example
この
This plan has issues, yet there’s something brilliant in the idea.
1) 〜気味 — slightly ~ / a touch of ~
Mild tendency, often not ideal (tired, busy, cold, etc.). Softer than saying the state strongly.
Form: N／V-ますstem + 気味 Contrast: broader/casual tendency → 〜っぽい。
今日は 風邪 気味なので 早めに 帰宅 する。
I feel a bit under the weather, so I’ll head home early.
Customer response is a little slow.
The meeting is tending to run long.
2) 〜げ — looks/seems ~ (from appearance)
Describe the impression you get from someone’s face/voice/attitude. It’s about how it looks, not a fact.
Form: i-adj/na-adj stems ・ V-たい + げ（嬉しげ／不安げ／言いたげ） Contrast: “likely” → 〜そうだ。
The manager fell silent with a dissatisfied look.
He looked like he wanted to say something.
The child proudly showed the certificate.
3) 〜っぽい — ~ish / tends to ~ (casual)
Casual marker for quality, color, or habit (“easily does ~”). Common in speech.
Form: N／V-ますstem + っぽい Common: 子供っぽい／水っぽい／忘れっぽい／黒っぽい
The taste is watery.
She gets bored easily, but focuses when she commits.
スーツだと 大人 っぽい 印象 になる。
A suit gives a more grown-up vibe.
4) 〜ぶる — to put on airs / pretend to be ~
Shows an affected attitude or role; often carries criticism or teasing nuance.
Form: N + ぶる／ぶって（大人ぶる・上司ぶる・知ったかぶる） Contrast: stable tendency → 〜っぽい。
He puts on a calm face, but his voice is shaking.
なんでも 知 っているかのように 知ったかぶるのは よくない。
Acting like a know-it-all isn’t good.
Being natural is better than putting on elegance.
5) 〜たて — freshly ~ / just started
Means “freshly done” or “very recently started.” Limited to common collocations.
Form: V-ますstem + たて（焼きたて／できたて／揚げたて／入社したて） Tip: similar idea to “just ~”, but lexicalized.
Freshly fried tempura is fragrant.
I’ve just joined the company and don’t know the ropes yet.
コーヒーは 淹 れたてが いちばん。
Coffee is best freshly brewed.
6) 〜ものがある — there’s something ~ about it
Soft, thoughtful evaluation. Means “has a certain ~ quality.” Common in formal writing/speeches.
Form: V-plain／Adj + ものがある Common: 心に響くものがある／考えさせられるものがある／冷たいものがある
彼の 演説 には 人 を 動 かす ものがある。
His speech has something compelling.
その 対応 は 冷 たい ものがある。
There’s something rather cold about that response.
この 映画 には 考 えさせられる ものがある。
This film is thought-provoking.
Quick contrasts & pitfalls
- 〜気味 = mild, often negative tendency (“a bit ~”). 〜っぽい = casual “~ish”/habit, wider use.
- 〜げ describes appearance/vibe; not objective facts. Compare with 〜そうだ (likelihood).
- 〜っぽい is spoken; avoid in formal writing → consider 〜気味 or neutral wording.
- 〜ぶる implies “putting on airs”; tends to sound critical/teasing.
- 〜たて is lexicalized; use with common pairs only (焼きたて／できたて／炊きたて／入社したて).
- 〜ものがある = measured judgment (“there’s something ~ about it”), suits essays/reports.
