〜めく

Meaning

The expression is used to describe something that has the quality or appearance of a particular characteristic or thing.

It suggests that while it cannot be fully defined as such, it gives the impression of being similar.

The expression is typically connected to specific words such as "spring," "joke," "irony," "mystery," "sermon," or "secret."

Formation

Examples

1. だんだん春めいて来ましたが、いかがお過ごしでしょうか。
   Spring is gradually starting to feel more like spring, how have you been?

2. トムさんって謎めいているよね。プライベートが全然見えないよ。
   Tom seems to be quite mysterious. We can't see anything about his private life.

3. 僕の上司はよく冗談めいた言い方で怖いことを言う。
   My boss often says frightening things in a joking manner.

4. この本は皮肉めいた冗談がたくさんあって面白いよ！
   This book is full of ironic jokes and is very interesting!「

5. さっき先輩から皮肉めいたことを言われて、すごいムカついている。
   I was just told something ironic by a senior, and it really irritated me.

Summary

• 〜めく means "having the appearance of; beginning to look like"
• Formation: 名詞 → 名詞 + めく
• This is an N1-level grammar pattern