地味(じみ)な

じみな
na-adjective
plain; subdued; understated; low-key
appearance
1. plain; subdued; understated
Not flashy or attention-grabbing in appearance. Used for clothing, colors, and visual presentation that is modest and unobtrusive.
地味(じみ)な色(いろ)の服(ふく)が好(す)きだ。
I like plain-colored clothes.
地味(じみ)だけど上品(じょうひん)な着物(きもの)を選(えら)んだ。
I chose a subdued but elegant kimono.
あのレストランは外観(がいかん)が地味(じみ)だが、料理(りょうり)は絶品(ぜっぴん)だ。
That restaurant has an unassuming exterior, but the food is exquisite.
2. low-key; unglamorous; unremarkable
Lacking excitement or distinction. Used for activities, lifestyles, or work that is steady but unspectacular.
地味(じみ)な作業(さぎょう)だが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's unglamorous work, but it's important.
地味(じみ)に暮(く)らしている。
I'm living a quiet, low-key life.
地味(じみ)な努力(どりょく)を続(つづ)けることが、最終的(さいしゅうてき)には大(おお)きな成果(せいか)につながる。
Continuing steady, unglamorous effort ultimately leads to great results.

Can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context. When describing clothes or decor, it can be a positive quality (modest, tasteful). When describing a person, it often implies being unremarkable or dull. The adverbial form 地味(じみ)に has developed a slang usage meaning "actually" or "quietly" (e.g., 地味(じみ)に美味(おい)しい — "it's actually pretty good").

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 派手(はで)な: flashy; showy — the direct opposite of 地味(じみ)な
  • 質素(しっそ)な: frugal; simple — emphasizes a deliberately modest lifestyle, often positively
  • 目立(めだ)たない: inconspicuous — focuses on not being noticed, rather than aesthetic quality

Related Words

Antonym: 派手(はで)な
Compare: 質素(しっそ) (frugal)
Compare: 目立(めだ)たない (inconspicuous)
Compare: 田舎臭(いなかくさ)い (countrified)
Compare: 控(ひか)えめな (reserved)
general
Added 2026.5.6 1:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
26500/26921_jimina