Meaning

Primary

Type

Alternatives

Genre, Lineage

Word Type

suffix

Explanation

Trace something back through its lineage to determine what type of thing it is.

〜系 is a suffix you can attach casually to a word to classify it as a genre or group, like 理系 (science-oriented fields), おしゃれ系 (trendy or stylish people), or 日系 (people of Japanese lineage).

Reading

けい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is the same reading you learned with the kanji, so you should be good to go.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 生態系

    ecosystem

    神経系

    nervous system

    きれい系

    elegant type

    出会い系

    apps and websites for dating (as a category)

    肉食系

    proactive or assertive person (e.g. in dating), "carnivore type"

Context Sentences

私の町にはラテン系アメリカ人がたくさん住んでいます。

There are a lot of Latin Americans living in my town.

私は恋愛系の映画が好きだけど、ホラー系は苦手です。

I like romance-type movies, but I'm not good with horror ones.

個人的には、キレイ系のファッションより、カジュアル系の方が好きなんだよね。

Personally, I prefer casual fashion over dressier, elegant styles.

私の兄はガテン系の陽キャだが、顔は小動物系なのでちょっと可愛い。

My brother is an outgoing, blue-collar guy, but he has such a small-animal face that he's actually kind of adorable.

Kanji Composition