地味(じみ)

じみ
na-adjective
plain, simple, sober
descriptive
1. plain, simple, modest
Not showy or flashy. Describes something subdued in appearance or style.
地味(じみ)な服(ふく)を着(き)ています。
I'm wearing plain clothes.
地味(じみ)な仕事(しごと)だけど、やりがいがある。
It's unglamorous work, but it's rewarding.
この部屋(へや)は少(すこ)し地味(じみ)だね。
This room is a bit plain, isn't it?
見(み)た目(め)は地味(じみ)だけど美味(おい)しい料理(りょうり)だ。
It's a plain-looking dish, but it's delicious.
派手(はで)な服(ふく)より地味(じみ)な服(ふく)のほうが長(なが)く着(き)られると思(おも)うので、買(か)い物(もの)をするときは落(お)ち着(つ)いた色(いろ)を選(えら)んでいる。
I think plain clothes can be worn longer than flashy ones, so when shopping I choose subdued colors.
2. sober, conservative
Understated, without ostentation. Often used for colors, clothing, or personalities.
彼女(かのじょ)は地味(じみ)な性格(せいかく)です。
She has a quiet/reserved personality.
地味(じみ)な色(いろ)が好(す)きです。
I like subdued colors.
地味(じみ)に生(い)きていきたい。
I want to live a modest life.
地味(じみ)な味付(あじつ)けが好(この)みです。
I prefer subtle seasoning.
彼(かれ)は地味(じみ)だが確実(かくじつ)な仕事(しごと)ぶりで信頼(しんらい)されている。
He's trusted for his unassuming but reliable work style.

地味(じみ) describes something plain, understated, or lacking in flashiness. It applies to appearance, personality, lifestyle, and work — anything that is quiet and unassuming rather than eye-catching.

Forms

  • Adverbial: 地味(じみ)に (plainly, modestly)
  • Noun modifier: 地味(じみ)な + noun

Common patterns

Slang usage

In casual modern speech, 地味(じみ)に can mean "low-key" or "surprisingly" — e.g., 地味(じみ)に美味(おい)しい (low-key delicious), 地味(じみ)に辛(つら)い (surprisingly tough).

Similar words

地味(じみ) vs 派手(はで) (showy, flashy) is one of the most common antonym pairs in Japanese, used for clothing, personality, lifestyle, and events.

Related Words

Antonym: 派手(はで) (showy, flashy)
Antonym: 華(はな)やか (gorgeous, glamorous)
Related: 控(ひか)え目(め) (modest, restrained, reserved)
Compare: 華々(はなばな)しい (splendid)
Compare: 目立(めだ)たない (inconspicuous, unnoticeable)
Compare: 平凡(へいぼん)な (ordinary)
Compare: 清楚(せいそ) (neat and pure)
core
Added 2026.1.9 20:41 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
01500/01573_jimi