noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
a little tight; a little snug
Describes clothing, shoes, or spaces that feel slightly too tight or constricting. The め suffix adds a nuance of 'a bit' or 'somewhat'.
See also: きつい
These shoes are a little tight, aren't they?
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
a little strong; a little harsh
Used for flavors, smells, or personalities that are a bit too intense or severe. Often applied to coffee, alcohol, or a person's demeanor.
This coffee is a little strong and slightly bitter.
I'm wearing slightly snug jeans.
He has a somewhat harsh personality, but he's not a bad person.
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms きつ目 and キツ目 are rare.
Katakana variant sometimes used for emphasis or in casual writing.
Kanji spelling; rarely used.
Mixed kanji-katakana spelling; rarely used.
Derived from the adjective きつい (tight, strong, harsh) with the suffix め, which adds a sense of 'a little' or 'somewhat'. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the formation is a common pattern in colloquial Japanese.