Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜めく

    〜めく

    〜めく

    This means something is starting to look or feel a certain way. It is not fully that way yet.

    N1KMT7FormalStandardVerb ConstructionMixedMixtures And BlendsGrammar

    Noun + めくPrimary

    This means something is starting to look or feel a certain way. It is not fully that way yet.

    日ひ差ざしが春はるめいて、だんだん暖あたたかくなってきた。

    The sunlight has started to feel spring-like, and it's gradually getting warmer.

    NeutralPerfectiveAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWeather & GeographyNature & Environment
    彼かれは事じ件けんについて何なにか知しっているのか、謎なぞめいた笑えみを浮うかべた。

    He gave a mysterious smile, as if he knew something about the incident.

    NeutralPastAffirmativePrenominalDeclarativeLiteratureEmotions & Psychology
    彼かれの態たい度どは、意い外がいにもまったく皮ひ肉にくめいていなかった。

    Surprisingly, his attitude was not at all sarcastic.

    FormalPastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEmotions & PsychologyFamily & Relationships
    説せっ教きょうめいたことは言いいたくありませんが、もう少すこし周まわりの人ひとの気き持もちを考かんがえてください。

    I don't want to sound preachy, but please consider the feelings of those around you a little more.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativePrenominalRequestWork & CareerEmotions & Psychology
    夕ゆう暮ぐれの空そらが赤あかく色いろめいて、とてもきれいだった。

    The evening sky grew tinged with red and was very beautiful.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeNature & EnvironmentArt & Design

    This word feels a bit fancy. You will see it more in books. People usually do not say it when they talk. For talking, use "~ppoi" or "~mitai" instead. There is also "~mekasu." This means you make something seem a certain way on purpose. For example, you can make a joke seem like a joke.

    This is different from other words. "〜がかった" means something has a touch of a quality. "〜じみる" means a quality is very strong, often in a bad way. "〜びる" means something looks or acts a certain way, often not good.

    Don't use this when talking about things like dogs. For example, you cannot say "dog-like" with めく. You can only use めく with certain words. These are often words for seasons, colors, or ideas. It means something is starting to look or feel like that word. But it is not fully that thing yet.

    Contrasts with(3)

    〜まじり / 〜交じり

    This means something is mixed with or has a bit of something else. It can be for things you can touch or for feelings and ways of speaking.

    〜びる

    This means to act like something else. It often means acting in a way that is not right. For example, acting too old or too young.

    〜じみる

    This means something starts to look or feel like something else. It often means it takes on a bad quality.

    〜っぽい

    This means something looks like or acts like something else. It is like saying "-ish" or "-like" in English.

    〜風(ふう)

    This means something looks like or is in the style of something else. It is like saying "-style" or "-like" in English.

    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    contrasts_with

    • 〜まじり / 〜交じり
    • 〜びる
    • 〜じみる

    prerequisite

    • 〜っぽい
    • 〜風(ふう)

    Explore more

    Grammar dictionary›Browse all entries›