1.
-type; -style; -system; of ~ descent
Attaches to nouns to indicate type, lineage, or category. Used for ethnic/national descent, family lines, scientific systems, and stylistic categories of fashion, music, or character.
彼女は理系だ。
She's a science major.
アフリカ系アメリカ人の歴史を学んだ。
I studied the history of African Americans.
最近は癒し系の音楽を聴くことが多い。
Lately I often listen to relaxing-style music.
Attaches to a noun to mark category, lineage, or style. Highly productive in casual classification of people, fashion, music, food, and academic fields.
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 理系: science track (in school)
- 文系: humanities track
- アジア系: of Asian descent
- 体育会系: athletic-club type (often describing a personality)
- 癒し系: soothing, healing style
- 太陽系: solar system
USAGE:
With descent words (日本系, アフリカ系), often combined with a nationality: アフリカ系アメリカ人 (African American). In casual speech, ~系女子 or ~系男子 classifies personality or fashion type.