いまいち

いまいち
adverb, na-adjective
not quite, somewhat lacking, not great
informalevaluationdescriptive
1. not quite, somewhat lacking
Describes something that falls short of expectations or is missing that final touch to be satisfactory.
この料理(りょうり)、いまいちだな。
This dish is not quite right.
説明(せつめい)がいまいちわからない。
I don't quite understand the explanation.
今日(きょう)の調子(ちょうし)はいまいちだ。
I'm not feeling great today.
映画(えいが)はいまいちだったけど、俳優(はいゆう)はよかった。
The movie wasn't great, but the actors were good.

Usage

A mild negative evaluation: close, but not quite satisfactory; softer than outright criticism.

Common patterns

  • いまいち + verb or adjective: not quite (いまいちわからない)
  • いまいちだ: it's not great

Etymology

From 今一(いまひと)つ (one more thing needed), which is also used: 今一(いまひと)つだ.

general
Added 2026.2.1 17:19 · Revised 2026.10.2 15:54
09000/09368_imaichi