低(ひく)め

ひくめ

noun, na-adjective

somewhat low; on the low side; lowish

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(おんど)を低(ひく)めに設定(せってい)する。

Set the temperature on the low side.

このシャツは値段(ねだん)が低(ひく)めだ。

This shirt is priced on the lower side.

声(こえ)を低(ひく)めにして話(はな)さないと、周(まわ)りの人(ひと)に聞(き)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(ひく)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(たか)め (somewhat high), 大(おお)きめ (somewhat large), 強(つよ)め (somewhat strong), 薄(うす)め (somewhat thin/light).

Common collocations

低(ひく)めに設定(せってい)する: to set on the low side
低(ひく)めの価格(かかく): a somewhat low price
低(ひく)めの温度(おんど): a somewhat low temperature
低(ひく)めの声(こえ): a lowered voice

OTHER め WORDS:

高(たか)め: somewhat high
多(おお)め: somewhat more; generous portion
少(すく)なめ: somewhat less
早(はや)め: somewhat early; on the early side

general

Added 2026.4.19 21:33 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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