微妙（びみょう）
JLPT N2 · na-adjective
Pitch accent: heiban (flat) — starts low, then stays high with no drop
Meaning: subtle / delicate
Conjugation
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| te-form | 微妙で | びみょうで |
| ta-form (past) | 微妙だった | びみょうだった |
| nai-form (negative) | 微妙ではない | びみょうではない |
Example sentences
- 二つの色は微妙に違う。 — The two colors differ subtly.
- 彼の返事は微妙で、はっきりしない。 — His answer was vague and noncommittal.
Related words
See it used in real works
- Example sentences from Japanese novels & web fiction (Massif)
- Hear “微妙” pronounced in real videos (YouGlish)