The Difference Between “Wasuregachi” and “Wasuregimi”
“Don’t both mean ‘forget’? Why do we need to distinguish between them?”
“Isn’t ‘wasuregachi’ almost the same as ‘wasureppoi’?”
“Can you tell me when I should use ‘wasuregachi’ and ‘wasuregimi’?”
“Wasuregachi” (忘れがち, わすれがち) and “wasuregimi” (忘れ気味, わすれぎみ) both contain the word “forget,” and they may seem similar at first glance. However, these two words have subtle differences in nuance. For beginners learning Japanese, differentiating between such words can often be confusing.
In this article, Eri-san, a staff member from the JPLT Online Japanese Language School, explains the differences between “wasuregachi” and “wasuregimi” with easy-to-understand examples, particularly for beginners.
Meanings and Usage of “Wasuregachi” and “Wasuregimi”
“Wasuregachi” (忘れがち, わすれがち)
- Meaning: Refers to frequently forgetting something or being in a state of forgetfulness.
- Usage:
- Watashi wa itsumo kagi o wasuregachi da (私はいつも鍵を忘れがちだ, わたしはいつもかぎをわすれがちだ) – “I tend to always forget my keys.”
- Kare wa yakusoku o wasuregachi nanode, amari shinyou dekinainda (彼は約束を忘れがちなので、あまり信用できないんだ, かれはやくそくをわすれがちなので、あまりしんようできないんだ) – “He tends to forget promises, so I can’t trust him much.”
- Features:
- Often expresses habitual actions or things that happen in specific situations.
- Conveys the nuance of repeatedly forgetting the same thing.
“Wasuregimi” (忘れ気味, わすれぎみ)
- Meaning: Refers to temporarily or recently being in a state where one forgets things more often.
- Usage:
- Saikin, monowasure ga hidokute, namae o wasuregimi da (最近、物忘れがひどくて、名前を忘れ気味だ, さいきん、ものわすれがひどくて、なまえをわすれぎみだ) – “Lately, my forgetfulness has gotten worse, and I tend to forget names.”
- Kaze o hiite kara, shuchuuriki ga naku, shigoto no naiyou o wasuregimi da (風邪を引いてから、集中力がなく、仕事の内容を忘れ気味だ, かぜをひいてから、しゅうちゅうりょくがなく、しごとのないようをわすれぎみだ) – “Since catching a cold, I have lost focus and tend to forget the details of my work.”
- Features:
- Often describes temporary conditions.
- Implies forgetfulness due to factors such as health issues or environmental changes.
Comparing “Wasuregachi” and “Wasuregimi”
| Word | Meaning | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Wasuregachi (忘れがち, わすれがち) | Frequently or habitually forgetting things, or being in a state prone to forgetting. | Often refers to habitual actions or things happening in specific situations. |
| Wasuregimi (忘れ気味, わすれぎみ) | Temporarily or recently being more prone to forgetfulness. | Often refers to temporary conditions, usually caused by health or environmental changes. |
Conclusion: The Difference Between “Wasuregachi” and “Wasuregimi”
Both “wasuregachi” (忘れがち, わすれがち) and “wasuregimi” (忘れ気味, わすれぎみ) involve the concept of forgetting, but their nuances differ greatly. “Wasuregachi” typically refers to habitual actions or things that happen in specific situations, while “wasuregimi” usually describes a temporary state.
Understanding these nuances is important for effective Japanese communication. By grasping the differences between these two words, you’ll be able to communicate more naturally in Japanese.
Japanese is full of nuanced words like “wasuregachi” and “wasuregimi.” Learning Japanese is like a treasure hunt—when you delve deeper into the meanings and usage of each word, you discover many new things.
At JPLT Online Japanese Language School, we support the joy of learning Japanese. For example, even with a word like “wasuregachi” (忘れがち, わすれがち), we can explore the cultural background and significance behind the word.
