Japanese Slang: “Imaichi いまいち”

February 4th, 2013By Category: Uncategorized

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How to say “not quite” “not very good” “not-so- great” “not good enough”  “could be better” in Japanese?

→【Imaichi  いまいち】

Meaning:
“Imaichi” is another word for “imahitotsu (lacking something)”, and it expresses a feeling of lack towards a hope (desire), outcome, or circumstance.

Example 1) A conversation between friends:

A: Ano eiga, maamaa yokattane.  
B: Un maane, hanashi wa yokatta kedo haiyaku ga imaichi dattana.

A: That movie wasn’t too bad.
B: Yeah, I guess so. The plot was good, but the cast was so-so.

Example 2) A conversation between friends:

A: Kaze hiitetan datte?  Choushi wa dou?  Genki ni natta?  
B: Uun, imaichi.  Mada chotto atama ga itakute.

A: I heard you caught a cold? How are you feeling? Are you better?
B: Um, sort of. I still have a little head ache.

Example 3) A conversation between a superior and subordinate in a company:

Kouhai shain: XX san, sumimasen, imachotto ojikan yoroshii desuka?  
Senpai shain : Doushitano?  
Kouhai shain: Oisogashiitokoro sumimasen.  Jitsu wa kono tsukaikata o oshiete itadaki taindesu.  Setsumeisho o yondemo imaichi yoku wakaranakute.

Subordinate: Excuse me, Mr/Ms XX. Could I have a bit of your time?
Superior: What is it?
Subordinate: Sorry to bother you. Actually I wanted to ask if you can teach me how to use this thing. I read the instructions but I don’t quite get it.

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Author of this article

Iidabashi Japanese Language School

The Iidabashi Japanese Language School motto is "Be Unique, Have fun Globally!" We teach classes focused on conversation skills to foreigners living in Japan.

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