Usage patterns 〈 物もの 〉 を 控ひか えめにする to keep the amount of something moderate/restrained
I'm keeping my salt intake moderate for my health.
控ひか えめな 〈 人ひと 〉 a modest, reserved person
She has a modest personality and doesn't often voice her own opinions.
控ひか えめな 見み 積つ もり a conservative estimate
Even by a conservative estimate, it will probably cost a million yen.
Expressions 控ひか えめに 言い う to put it mildly; to understate; to speak with restraint Kanji 控 withdraw, draw in, hold back Related words· 6 謙虚 is a more formal, virtue-oriented word for being humble as a deep character trait, while 控えめ describes outward, situational restraint in behavior or amount.
遠慮 is holding back out of consideration for others in a specific situation (e.g. declining an offer), while 控えめ describes a general moderate, low-key quality.
慎ましい is an i-adjective emphasizing quiet, humble demeanor (often of manner or lifestyle), whereas 控えめ more broadly covers restrained amounts, attitudes, or actions.
控えめ describes a modest, restrained manner or figure in general, while 内輪 specifically implies deliberately understating a number to be safe.
Show 2 more Show fewer 地味 focuses on a lack of flashiness in appearance or manner, while 控えめ emphasizes deliberate restraint in action, speech, or quantity.
控えめ describes restrained or moderate behavior or quantity, whereas ささやか describes the inherent smallness or modesty of a thing itself.
Opposites· 7 派手 describes something flashy, showy, or attention-grabbing, the opposite of the modest, low-key quality of 控えめ .
控えめ describes modest, understated behavior, the opposite of 大げさ 's exaggerated, over-the-top manner.
控えめ describes modest, restrained clothing or behavior, the opposite of 挑発的 in its suggestive sense.
Show 4 more Show fewer 控えめ describes a modest, reserved person who holds back, the opposite of a 出しゃばり who pushes forward and speaks up uninvited.
控えめ describes being modest and holding back, the opposite of 強引 's pushy, forceful manner.
控えめ describes reserved, restrained behavior, contrasting with the pushy shamelessness of 図々しい .
控えめ means reserved or modest in manner, contrasting with the bold, assertive style of アグレッシブ .
Written forms 控ひか えめ Usage 69%
Standard spelling with okurigana; the most common written form.
控ひか え 目め Usage 21%
Alternate kanji spelling using 目 instead of okurigana め ; less common but still encountered.
ひかえめ Usage 8%
Kana spelling; used when the kanji is avoided or for emphasis in casual writing.
ひかえ 目め Usage 2%
Etymology Compound of the verb 控える (ひかえる , 'to hold back, wait, be moderate') + 目 (め , nominalizing suffix indicating degree or tendency). Literally 'a tendency to hold back'.
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