み

Noun from い-adj

Level 3Sounds Like mi

The suffix 〜み transforms い-adjectives into nouns. Unlike the objective measurement of 〜さ, 〜み focuses on the subjective feeling, richness, or inherent nature of a quality.

How It Works

1. Formation
To form this noun, remove the final 〜い from an い-adjective and add 〜み.

  • 甘い（あまい）→ 甘み（あまみ）: Sweetness (flavor quality)
  • 重い（おもい）→ 重み（おもみ）: Weight (significance/gravity)
  • 苦い（にがい）→ 苦み（にがみ）: Bitterness (the sensation)

2. Subjective vs. Objective
The primary distinction is between objective measurement (〜さ) and subjective experience (〜み).

  • 〜さ: Used for facts and measurements. 'How heavy is this?' (重さは？)
  • 〜み: Used for feelings and nuances. 'His words have weight.' (言葉に重みがある。)

3. Limited Usage
Unlike 〜さ, you cannot attach 〜み to every adjective. It is mostly used with sensory adjectives (taste, touch), emotions, and a few abstract qualities. Using it with adjectives like 'new' (新しい（あたらしい）) or 'red' (赤い（あかい）) is generally incorrect in standard Japanese.

4. Special Meanings
In some cases, 〜み refers to a physical location characterized by the adjective:

  • 高み（たかみ）: A high place / heights
  • 茂み（しげみ）: A thicket (from 茂る（しげる） - to grow thickly)

Examples (4)

  1. このスープは、野菜の甘みがよく出ている。

    This soup really brings out the sweetness of the vegetables.

    Word by Word: This soup (topic), vegetables' sweetness (subject) well is coming out.

    Here, 甘み refers to the specific quality and flavor profile of the sweetness, rather than a measurable amount of sugar.

  2. 彼の言葉には重みがある。

    His words have weight (significance).

    Word by Word: His words (in) weight exists.

    重み is used here metaphorically to describe the gravity or importance of what was said, not physical weight.

  3. 弱みを人に見せてはいけない。

    You must not show your weakness to others.

    Word by Word: Weakness (object) people (to) showing must not.

    弱み refers to a vulnerable point or a specific personal shortcoming, rather than a general measurement of lack of strength.

  4. この絵には深みがある。

    This painting has depth.

    Word by Word: This painting (in) depth exists.

    深み refers to the artistic richness or complexity of the painting, not its physical dimensions.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 〜み for objective measurements.

    この川の深みは五メートルです。
    この川の深さは五メートルです。

    When talking about a specific, measurable quantity (like 5 meters), you must use 〜さ. 〜み is for subjective 'depth' like character or flavor.

  • Trying to use 〜み with every adjective.

    新しいみ（あたらしいみ）
    新しさ（あたらしさ）

    〜み is not productive, meaning it only works with a set list of established words. For most adjectives, use 〜さ to create a noun.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

みLevel 3Noun from い-adj

Learn This First

To understand the 'み' nominalization, you must first be familiar with い-adjectives and how to identify their stems (removing the final 'い'). It is also helpful to understand the 'さ' nominalization, as 'み' is a more limited and nuanced way to turn adjectives into nouns, often focusing on subjective qualities or feelings like 'depth' (深み) or 'warmth' (温かみ).

Words in This Pattern