1.
somewhat low; on the low side; lowish
Slightly or relatively low. The suffix め softens the adjective, indicating a tendency or moderate degree rather than an absolute quality.
温度を低めに設定する。
Set the temperature on the low side.
このシャツは値段が低めだ。
This shirt is priced on the lower side.
声を低めにして話さないと、周りの人に聞こえてしまう。
If you don't keep your voice on the low side, the people around us will hear.
Formed from 低い (low) + the suffix め, which softens adjectives to mean "somewhat" or "on the ... side." This め pattern is extremely productive and commonly used in daily conversation to express preferences or approximate descriptions.
The め suffix attaches to the stem of i-adjectives: 高め (somewhat high), 大きめ (somewhat large), 強め (somewhat strong), 薄め (somewhat thin/light).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 低めに設定する: to set on the low side
- 低めの価格: a somewhat low price
- 低めの温度: a somewhat low temperature
- 低めの声: a lowered voice
OTHER め WORDS:
- 高め: somewhat high
- 多め: somewhat more; generous portion
- 少なめ: somewhat less
- 早め: somewhat early; on the early side