Japanese word

微妙

Pronunciation

Romajibimyō

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveso-so

Example

この映画は微妙です。ko no ei ga wa bi myō de su

This movie is so-so.

Illustration for 微妙 (so-so)

More examples

その店を人に勧めるのは微妙です。so no mise o hito ni susu me ru no wa bi myō de su

I am not sure about recommending that restaurant.

Core concept

Describes something whose quality or acceptability lies near a boundary and therefore does not invite a confident positive judgment.

Common phrases

  • ちょっと微妙cho tto bi myō

    a little iffy

  • 微妙な感じbi myō na kan ji

    a so-so vibe

Similar words

いまいちimaichi: Describes something that falls short of expectations and feels unsatisfying.
普通futsū: Describes something ordinary that is neither notably good nor notably bad.

Definition in Japanese

はっきり良いとは言いにくく、やや不満が残る感じである。ha kki ri yo i to wa i i ni ku ku ya ya fu man ga noko ru kan ji de a ru

Word origin

微妙 (bimyō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 微 (bi, "slight") and 妙 (myō, "delicate"), linking fine shades of meaning with an uncertain evaluation.

Usage tips

  • A speaker can use 微妙 (bimyō) to give a negative opinion indirectly, so a casual reply may sound gentler than its actual assessment.

Other meanings

  • iffyna-adjective
  • subtlena-adjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word