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めく

meku

JLPT N1 #45 of 243 in N1

Seems; show signs of ~

Expresses that something appears or shows signs of being a certain way, often with a gradual or atmospheric nuance.

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How to form it

Attach to noun stems or な-adjective stems (without な), e.g., 秋めく (autumn-like), 謎めく (mysterious). The pattern forms verbs, so conjugate like a godan verb (めく, めいた, めいて, めけば, etc.).

What it means

めく is an N1-level verb suffix that means 'to seem' or 'to show signs of.' It is used with a limited set of nouns and な-adjective stems to describe something that takes on the quality of that word. For example, 秋めく means 'to become autumn-like' — not just 'it is autumn,' but that the air, light, or mood starts to feel like autumn. Similarly, 謎めく means 'to be mysterious' or 'to have a mysterious air.' The resulting verb is intransitive and often used in its て-form or past tense to describe a state or atmosphere.

Example sentences

Hi ga mijikaku nari, machi wa sukkari aki-meite kita.

The days have gotten shorter, and the city has really started to feel like autumn.

Kanojo no hohoemi wa dokoka nazo-meite ite, hikitsukerareru.

Her smile is somehow mysterious, and I find myself drawn to her.

Sono furui yōkan wa, hiruma demo bukimi-meita fun'iki ga tadayotte ita.

That old Western-style house had an eerie atmosphere even during the day.

Don’t confuse it with

〜らしい (seems, typical of)

らしい attaches to nouns and adjectives to mean 'typical of' or 'seems based on evidence,' e.g., 秋らしい (autumn-like, typical autumn weather). めく is more poetic and abstract, focusing on the atmosphere or appearance, and is limited to certain stems (秋めく, 謎めく, 色めく).

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話
When to use it

Literary and somewhat formal; common in written narration and polished speech, but not in casual conversation.

Next in the N1 path

46
べからず / べからざるmust not; should not; do not ~
47
ことごとくaltogether; entirely; completely ~
48
いかなるany kind of; every; whatever
49
とはいえthough; although; nonetheless

See the whole Grammar Path →

Questions

What does めく mean?

Seems; show signs of ~. Expresses that something appears or shows signs of being a certain way, often with a gradual or atmospheric nuance.

How do you form めく?

Attach to noun stems or な-adjective stems (without な), e.g., 秋めく (autumn-like), 謎めく (mysterious). The pattern forms verbs, so conjugate like a godan verb (めく, めいた, めいて, めけば, etc.).

Example of めく in a sentence

日が短くなり、街はすっかり秋めいてきた。 — The days have gotten shorter, and the city has really started to feel like autumn.

〜らしい (seems, typical of) — what is the difference?

らしい attaches to nouns and adjectives to mean 'typical of' or 'seems based on evidence,' e.g., 秋らしい (autumn-like, typical autumn weather). めく is more poetic and abstract, focusing on the atmosphere or appearance, and is limited to certain stems (秋めく, 謎めく, 色めく).

What JLPT level is めく?

JLPT N1 (advanced), number 45 of 243 in Nihoner's learning order for N1.

Seems; show signs of ~