JLPT N2 Grammar

〜じみた (jimita)

This practice is for JLPT N2 learners who need more than just a passing grade. If you are working in Japan—or aiming to—you know that the "minimum requirement" for a job isn't the same as the "requirement to succeed."

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〜じみた (jimita)
“-like; resembling; having the air of”

It is used when something feels or appears like a certain quality. Often used in a slightly negative, exaggerated, dramatic, or critical way.

You’ll commonly see 〜じみた in written contexts like reports, evaluations, articles, or analytical commentary. It can also appear in verbal workplace discussions, especially during feedback or when describing someone’s tone or behavior, but it sounds more formal than everyday casual speech.

Format

  • Noun + じみた
    大人びた格好をしているが、言動は子供じみている。 He dresses like an adult, but his behavior is childish.
  • Common Fixed Expressions
    • 田舎じみた (inaka-jimita): Countrified / Unrefined
    • 年寄りじみた (toshiyori-jimita): Acting like an old person (said of someone young).
    • 気違いじみた (kichigai-jimita): Like madness / Crazed
    • 説教じみた (sekkyou-jimita): Preachy / Like a lecture

Example sentences


  • a childish attitude

  • a theatrical way of speaking

  • a sarcastic way of speaking
  • そんなは。
    Such childish excuses won’t work.
  • 彼のは。
    His speech sounded slightly theatrical.
  • はをがある。
    A sarcastic way of speaking may cause misunderstandings.
  • そのは、が。
    The apology felt formulaic and lacked sincerity.
  • 彼のは、に。
    His judgment was emotional and lacked objectivity.

Similar Grammar

〜っぽい (ppoi)

"-ish," "like," or "full of."
彼は怒ると子供っぽくなる。 When he gets angry, he becomes like a child.

Difference:

  • 〜っぽい is softer and more common in daily conversation.
  • 〜じみた feels more serious and often critical.
  • They are not fully interchangeable.

〜めく (meku)

"To show signs of," "to become like," or "to take on the air of."
日増しに春めいてきた。 It has become more spring-like day by day.

Difference:

  • 〜めく sounds more formal or literary.
  • 〜じみた is more commonly used in analysis or criticism.

〜的 (teki)

"-ic," "-al," or "-tive."
彼の考え方はとても論理的だ。 His way of thinking is very logical.

Difference:

  • 形式的 = formal, objective, neutral description
  • 形式じみた = overly formal, rigid, formulaic (slightly negative)
  • This is a very common confusion point in business Japanese.

〜みたいな / 〜ような (mitai na / yō na)

“like; similar to; seems like…”
まるで夢みたいな話だ。 It's a story just like a dream.
彼女は花のような笑顔で挨拶した。 She greeted me with a flower-like smile.

Difference:

  • 〜じみた suggests a nuanced evaluation, often critical.
  • 〜みたいな / 〜ような simply indicate similarity without judgment.

JLPT Practice Questions

Q1. （　　　）は。
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Q2. のは（　　　）が。
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Q3. は（　　　）だけだった。
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Q4. は（　　　）をした。
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Q5. （　　　）は。
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Q6. のは（　　　）と。
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Q7. は（　　　）を。
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Q8. のは（　　　）。
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Q9. のは ★ ＿＿ ＿＿ だった。
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Q10. は ★ ＿＿ ＿＿ と。
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Q11. は（　　　）。
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Q12. は（　　　）だった。
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Q13. のは（　　　）ため、が。
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Q14. は、（　　　）も。
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Q15. のは（　　　）がして、。
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Q16. のは（　　　）、を。
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Q17. のは（　　　）。
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Q18. は（　　　）、。
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Q19. のは（　　　）があり、に。
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Q20. は（　　　）だった。
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Ready for the next one?

Great work finishing this lesson! Consistency is the only way to break through the N2 plateau and secure your professional credentials in Japan.

Head back to our JLPT N2 Grammar List to check this point off your list and pick your next challenge.

JLPT N2 Grammar List

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