現実味

• Reading: げんじつみ
• Romaji: genjitsumi
• Kanji breakdown: 現 (gen) — present, appear; 実 (jitsu) — reality, truth; 味 (mi) — taste, flavour, sense
• Pronunciation: /geɴ.dʑi.tsɯ.mi/

Meaning

Sense of reality; realism; viability. The quality of feeling real or achievable.

A noun formed with the suffix 味 (mi, sense/taste), which turns abstract nouns into perceived qualities (similar to 真実味, shinjitsumi, ring of truth). Most commonly appears in the patterns 現実味がある/ない (has/lacks a sense of reality) and 現実味を帯びる (to take on a sense of reality, to become viable). Used both for fictional works and for plans or proposals.

Examples

1. その計画はだんだん現実味を帯びてきた。 That plan is gradually taking on a sense of reality.
2. この映画のストーリーには現実味がある。 The story of this movie feels realistic.
3. 火星移住はまだ現実味がない話だ。 Colonizing Mars is still not a realistic prospect.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, business, media

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 現実 (genjitsu, reality) + 味 (mi, sense/flavour). The suffix 味 adds the nuance of 'a sense of' or 'a feeling of,' making this 'a sense of reality' — how real or achievable something feels.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal