-ish: め/目 vs. っぽい


As far as I know, one of `め/目`'s usages is to function as a suffix to express
a certain similarity, to say something is `__ish`. However, how is it
different from `っぽい`?

According to [this
question](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/18056/why-
does-%E7%9B%AE-have-a-counting-sense-to-it "Why does 目 have a counting sense
to it?"), one can attach め to the **連用形 of a verb** , **連体形 of i-adjectives**
, and **辞書形 (?) of na-adjectives** according to [this
question](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/2037/slightly-
somewhat-%E3%81%AE-%EF%BD%9E%E7%9B%AE%E3%82%81-usage-and-limitations
"“slightly/somewhat” の 「～目」: Usage and limitations"). Nonetheless, I just read
this in a news article: [木目調の建物](https://www.fnn-
news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00390618.html "京急　高架下に宿泊施設の狙い"), which I
believe is 目 attached to 木, **a noun**.

In addition, according to [Maggie
Sensei](http://maggiesensei.com/2016/04/08/adjective-%E7%9B%AE%EF%BC%8F%E3%82%81-me/
"Adjective + 目／め \( = me\)"), and here I quote:

> It won’t work with all adjectives. You usually use this with adjectives that
> express the degree, size, amount, etc. Though you are not supposed to use
> this form with na-adjective, you will see it used this way in conversation
> sometimes.

If all of the above is true, め/目 seems not to differ at all from っぽい in terms
of formation. According to
[Japanesetest4you](http://japanesetest4you.com/flashcard/learn-
jlpt-n3-grammar-%E3%81%A3%E3%81%BD%E3%81%84-ppoi/ "Learn JLPT N3 Grammar: っぽい
\(ppoi\)"), here's how っぽい is formed:

**Verb-stem + っぽい  
Noun + っぽい  
いadj (-い) + っぽい  
なadj + っぽい**

Apparently, there does not appear to be any difference between め/目 and っぽい in
terms of formation. Notwithstanding grammar, I assume each has its own
specific words to go with, context/set phrases to be used in, etc.

**Question:**

  1. Is there a rule that governs when to prefer one over the other, or is this something only exposure and experience can resolve?

  2. め/目 seems rarely used with na-adjectives and nounsーif at all. Could anyone provide some common examples you have come across?




I can't answer your first question because the precondition is not correct.
Let me explain what it is.

The suffix 目 doesn't mean っぽい but that, as the answer in the link says,
something has that tendency. In other words, やすめ means " **relatively** low-
cost", while 安っぽい is "cheap".

Second, 目 as in 木目 is not the suffix but a noun that means "pattern" and 木目 is
a compound.

An example of a na adjective I often hear is きれいめ, (edit) which means "not too
casual (for outfits)".




I can't answer your first question because the precondition is not correct.
Let me explain what it is.

The suffix 目 doesn't mean っぽい but that, as the answer in the link says,
something has that tendency. In other words, やすめ means " **relatively** low-
cost", while 安っぽい is "cheap".

Second, 目 as in 木目 is not the suffix but a noun that means "pattern" and 木目 is
a compound.

An example of a na adjective I often hear is きれいめ, (edit) which means "not too
casual (for outfits)".

