目錄
Japanese 「〜傾向がある」 is used to describe a situation that occurs frequently, while 「〜は抜きにして」 means setting a certain condition aside for the time being. For example, when the news reports that young people are increasingly getting information through short-form videos, it is describing a change observed over a period of time. When someone says in a meeting that the budget should be set aside for now, the intention is to settle the content of the proposal first. The two patterns actually have very different meanings, yet both often appear in reports, commentary, and meetings. If you rely only on the Chinese translation and apply them mechanically, it is easy to describe a one-off impression as a 「傾向」, or to misunderstand 「抜きにして」 as meaning that something never needs to be considered again.
Why are 「〜傾向がある」 and 「〜は抜きにして」 often used in analysis and discussion?
Japanese 「〜な傾向」 and 「〜はぬきにして」 are not patterns for expressing strong emotions. Instead, they make a sentence sound calmer and easier to discuss. Japanese 「〜な傾向」 is often used in data analysis, social observation, and workplace feedback. For example, in 「若い人は動画で情報を得る傾向がある」, the point is not that one particular person definitely behaves this way, but that this direction is relatively common overall.
Japanese 「〜はぬきにして」, by contrast, often appears in discussions, negotiations, and reviews. Its nuance is “let’s leave this out for now” or “let’s not allow this condition to affect our judgment yet.” For example, saying 「費用はぬきにして、内容だけ考えましょう」 while discussing a proposal does not mean that cost is unimportant. It means that the discussion should first return its focus to the content.
When learning these two patterns together, the key point is not that their forms are similar, but that both can shift Japanese from simply expressing an impression to making a more distanced judgment. This sense of distance is very common in written Japanese, Japanese used in meetings, and Japanese used in news reporting.
How do Japanese 「傾向がある」 and 「抜きにして」 attach? Grammar structure overview
| Expression | Attachment pattern | Core meaning | Common register |
| 「〜な傾向がある」 | Dictionary form／ない-form＋傾向がある, い-adjective＋傾向がある, な-adjective＋な傾向がある, noun＋の傾向がある | To have a certain tendency; to be likely to develop in a certain direction | Written language, analytical tone, reports |
| 「〜はぬきにして」 | Noun＋はぬきにして | Set aside for now, leave aside, temporarily exclude | Meetings, discussions, formal spoken language |
| 「〜ぬきで」 | Noun＋ぬきで | Without including something; without doing something | Used in both spoken and written language |
「傾向」 itself is a noun that indicates that something changes in a certain direction or often follows a particular pattern, so the form before it must modify a noun. Na-adjectives take 「な」, while nouns commonly take 「の」. By contrast, 「ぬき」 comes from 「抜き」 and has the sense of removing something, so it is usually preceded by a noun.
Usage ① of 「〜な傾向」｜Describing an objectively observed common trend
The most typical use of 「〜な傾向がある」 is to describe a direction that repeatedly appears within a group, a phenomenon, or a certain period of time. It is not suitable for asserting that every individual case is the same. Instead, it leaves some room and conveys that “overall, this tends to happen relatively often.” This sounds more objective than 「いつも」 and more like an analytical conclusion than 「多い」.
- Example: 最近、若い人は新聞より動画でニュースを見る傾向があります。
Kana: さいきん、わかいひとは しんぶんより どうがで ニュースを みるけいこうが あります。
Translation: Recently, young people tend to watch the news through videos rather than newspapers.
This sentence does not mean that all young people behave this way. It describes an overall trend in media usage and has an analytical tone. - Example: この店は週末になると、家族連れが増える傾向があります。
Kana: このみせは しゅうまつに なると、かぞくづれが ふえるけいこうが あります。
Translation: At this restaurant, the number of families tends to increase on weekends.
This is natural when observing changes in the restaurant’s customer base. The focus is on a recurring pattern rather than a one-off occurrence on a particular day. - Example: 疲れているときは、甘いものを食べすぎる傾向があります。
Kana: つかれているときは、あまいものを たべすぎるけいこうが あります。
Translation: When I am tired, I tend to eat too many sweets.
This has the feel of self-observation or behavioral analysis and sounds calmer than directly saying 「つい食べすぎます」.
Usage ② of 「〜な傾向」｜Describing a negative tendency or something that needs improvement
「〜な傾向がある」 is also often used in workplace feedback, writing critiques, and social commentary to point out a certain bias or tendency. The tone is not necessarily harsh, but it can carry the sense that “this direction needs attention.” In reports and commentary in particular, it is softer than direct criticism while still clearly identifying the problem.
- Example: この文章は、説明が少し長くなる傾向があります。
Kana: このぶんしょうは、せつめいが すこし ながくなるけいこうが あります。
Translation: This piece tends to make its explanations a little too long.
This is common in editing or workplace feedback. It is more tactful than 「長すぎます」 and is easier for the listener to accept. - Example: 彼の発表は、結論を急ぎすぎる傾向があります。
Kana: かれの はっぴょうは、けつろんを いそぎすぎるけいこうが あります。
Translation: His presentations tend to rush to conclusions too quickly.
「傾向」 turns criticism into an observation. Rather than targeting a single mistake, it points to a recurring speaking pattern. - Example: このチームは、問題が起きてから動く傾向があります。
Kana: このチームは、もんだいが おきてから うごくけいこうが あります。
Translation: This team tends to take action only after a problem occurs.
This sounds natural in a review. The focus is on a work habit rather than blaming one particular team member.
Usage ③ of 「〜はぬきにして」｜Temporarily setting aside a condition or topic
The key point of 「〜はぬきにして」 is to remove one factor for the moment so that the discussion can return to another focus. It does not permanently reject that factor, nor does it mean that the factor is completely unimportant. Instead, it temporarily defines the scope of the discussion. This expression appears in meetings, planning discussions, and emotional conversations, and is especially useful when one condition is preventing the discussion from moving forward.
- Example: 費用はぬきにして、まず内容だけ考えましょう。
Kana: ひようは ぬきにして、まず ないようだけ かんがえましょう。
Translation: Let’s set the cost aside for now and think only about the content first.
This means that the cost will be discussed later, but for now the focus is on designing the content. - Example: 冗談はぬきにして、本当に体調は大丈夫ですか。
Kana: じょうだんは ぬきにして、ほんとうに たいちょうは だいじょうぶですか。
Translation: Joking aside, are you really feeling okay?
「冗談はぬきにして」 is often used when the mood shifts from lighthearted to serious and carries the nuance of bringing the conversation back to the real issue. - Example: 見た目はぬきにして、この靴はとても歩きやすいです。
Kana: みためは ぬきにして、このくつは とても あるきやすいです。
Translation: Setting the appearance aside, these shoes are very comfortable to walk in.
This means appearance is not the main criterion for this judgment, and the evaluation is being focused on practicality instead.
What is the difference between 「〜傾向がある」 and 「〜は抜きにして」? Comparing their functions and nuances
| Comparison | 「〜な傾向」 | 「〜はぬきにして」 |
| Core function | Describes a common trend or tendency | Excludes a condition before continuing the discussion |
| Focus of the sentence | A pattern shown by the phenomenon itself | A factor temporarily left out of the discussion |
| Common contexts | Reports, analysis, commentary, feedback | Meetings, negotiations, serious conversations |
| Nuance | Objective, qualified, non-absolute | Shifts the focus, sets something aside for now |
| Common mistake | Treating 「傾向」 as an absolute statement | Misunderstanding 「ぬきにして」 as meaning the factor will never be considered again |
▌Different attachment targets: 「傾向がある」 describes a phenomenon, while 「抜きにして」 attaches only to nouns
❌ Unnatural: この料理は辛いはぬきにして、人気があります。
（「辛い」 is an adjective, so it cannot directly attach to 「はぬきにして」. What is intended here is a tendency in how the dish is evaluated.）
✅ Correct: この料理は、辛いものが好きな人に人気がある傾向があります。
This describes a tendency for people who like spicy food to be more likely to enjoy this dish. The focus is on the pattern in customer response.
▌Different sentence focus: analyzing a recurring pattern vs defining the scope of discussion
❌ Unnatural: 費用が高い傾向をぬきにして、企画を考えましょう。
✅ Correct: 費用はぬきにして、まず企画の内容を考えましょう。
「費用」 is the condition being temporarily excluded from the discussion, so 「費用はぬきにして」 is required. If 「傾向」 is used, the sentence becomes an analysis of a trend in the cost itself, which changes the focus completely.
What is the difference between Japanese 「〜傾向がある」「〜がち」「〜気味」?
Japanese 「〜傾向がある」「〜がち」「〜気味」 can all sometimes be translated as “having a certain tendency,” but the scope of observation is different in each case. 「〜傾向がある」 is often used to describe an overall pattern that repeatedly appears over a period of time. 「〜がち」 tends to focus on behavior that frequently appears in a person or thing and often carries a negative nuance. 「〜気味」 indicates that something is currently showing a slight tendency toward a certain state and is usually mild or temporary.
| Comparison | 「〜傾向がある」 | 「〜がち」 | 「〜気味」 |
| Core meaning | An overall tendency repeatedly appears | A certain behavior or condition often occurs | Something is currently in a slightly noticeable state |
| Scope of observation | Groups, data, long-term changes, and sometimes personal habits | Repeated behaviors of individuals or things | Current or recent physical, emotional, or progress-related states |
| Typical nuance | Neutral, objective, analytical | Often negative, with the sense of “liable to do this” | Mild, with the sense of “a little” |
| Common register | Reports, commentary, news, workplace feedback | Both spoken and written language | More common in everyday speech |
| Attachment pattern | Plain verb form／adjective／noun-modifying form＋傾向がある | Verb ます-form without ます＋がち, noun＋がち | Verb ます-form without ます＋気味, noun＋気味 |
| Time frame | A pattern seen after observing something over time | Repeated or frequent occurrence | Something appearing recently or currently |
| Common combinations | 増える傾向がある、好まれる傾向がある | 忘れがち、遅れがち、病気がち | 疲れ気味、寝不足気味、遅れ気味 |
| Suitable for describing group data | Suitable | Usually unsuitable | Unsuitable |
| Common mistake | Treating a one-time impression as a long-term trend | Using it for neutral or positive changes in a group | Using it for a long-term, obvious, recurring problem |
▌Comparison Point ①｜「〜傾向がある」 describes an overall or long-term trend
「〜傾向がある」 is usually based on observations over a period of time, multiple cases, or data. It does not directly assert that everyone is the same. Instead, it indicates that a certain situation is relatively common overall. It is frequently used for group behavior, sales changes, media usage, and workplace patterns.
- Example: 最近は、現金を使わずに支払う人が増える傾向があります。
Kana: さいきんは、げんきんを つかわずに しはらうひとが ふえるけいこうが あります。
Translation: Recently, there has been a tendency for more people to pay without using cash.
This describes a change in payment methods observed over a period of time, not one person simply happening not to use cash. - Example: 忙しい時期は、問い合わせが夕方に集中する傾向があります。
Kana: いそがしいじきは、といあわせが ゆうがたに しゅうちゅうするけいこうが あります。
Translation: During busy periods, inquiries tend to be concentrated in the late afternoon.
The sentence summarizes a time distribution observed repeatedly and is suitable for reports or workplace reviews. - Example: この商品は、若い世代に選ばれる傾向があります。
Kana: このしょうひんは、わかいせだいに えらばれるけいこうが あります。
Translation: This product tends to be chosen by younger generations.
This describes the overall response of a customer group and does not mean that every young person chooses the product.
▌Comparison Point ②｜「〜がち」 indicates that a certain behavior happens frequently
「〜がち」 is often used to describe someone repeatedly doing something or an undesirable condition frequently occurring. It has the sense of “this tends to happen if you are not careful” or “this has been happening a lot lately,” so it commonly appears with negative ideas such as forgetting, being late, being absent, eating selectively, or overthinking.
- Example: 忙しいと、朝ご飯を抜きがちです。
Kana: いそがしいと、あさごはんを ぬきがちです。
Translation: When I am busy, I often end up skipping breakfast.
「抜きがち」 means that skipping breakfast happens repeatedly, not that breakfast was skipped just once on a particular day. - Example: オンライン会議では、説明が一方的になりがちです。
Kana: オンラインかいぎでは、せつめいが いっぽうてきに なりがちです。
Translation: In online meetings, explanations tend to become one-sided.
This points out a problem that is likely to occur in a particular setting and carries the nuance that it is something to watch out for. - Example: 寒い季節は、家にこもりがちになります。
Kana: さむいきせつは、いえに こもりがちに なります。
Translation: During the colder seasons, people often tend to stay indoors.
「こもりがち」 indicates that the frequency of staying at home increases and also carries a somewhat negative sense of reduced activity.
▌Comparison Point ③｜「〜気味」 means that something is currently in a slight state
「〜気味」 describes a state that has appeared slightly at present or recently and is usually not severe. It is commonly used for fatigue, lack of sleep, a cold, weight gain, or delays in progress. Compared with 「〜がち」, 「〜気味」 does not emphasize repeated occurrence. Instead, it emphasizes that the state is already present to some degree now.
- Example: 最近、少し疲れ気味です。
Kana: さいきん、すこし つかれぎみです。
Translation: I have been feeling a little tired lately.
「疲れ気味」 indicates a mild state of fatigue recently and does not mean that it is severe enough to make normal activity impossible. - Example: 今週の作業は、予定より遅れ気味です。
Kana: こんしゅうの さぎょうは、よていより おくれぎみです。
Translation: This week’s work is running a little behind schedule.
This means the current progress is slightly delayed and does not imply a long-term pattern of always failing to finish on time. - Example: 旅行のあとで、少し寝不足気味です。
Kana: りょこうの あとで、すこし ねぶそくぎみです。
Translation: After the trip, I am a little short on sleep.
「寝不足気味」 describes a temporary physical state after traveling and may improve after some time.
▌Comparison Point ④｜Using different patterns for the same topic changes the perspective
The three patterns can sometimes be used around similar topics, but what each sentence expresses is different. 「〜傾向がある」 looks at an overall phenomenon, 「〜がち」 looks at repeatedly occurring behavior, and 「〜気味」 describes a state that is currently present to a slight degree.
- 「最近、会議が長くなる傾向があります。」Recently, meetings have shown a tendency to become longer. This sentence may be based on records from multiple meetings, and the focus is on the overall change in duration.
- 「最近、会議が長くなりがちです。」Recently, meetings often tend to run long. This sentence points out that meetings repeatedly become lengthy and usually carries the nuance that the issue should be improved.
- 「今日の会議は、少し長引き気味です。」Today’s meeting seems to be running a little long. This sentence only describes the current situation today and does not mean that every meeting is the same.
When deciding which one to use, first look at the time frame the sentence needs. Use 「〜傾向がある」 when describing long-term data or an overall change, 「〜がち」 when pointing out that something happens frequently, and 「〜気味」 when describing a slight state that has appeared recently or is present now.
How are 「〜傾向がある」 and 「〜は抜きにして」 used in Japanese workplaces and everyday conversation?
In Japanese workplace contexts, directly saying “this is bad” can sometimes sound too harsh, so 「〜な傾向がある」 is often used to frame criticism as an observed pattern. This is not about avoiding responsibility. Rather, it turns the criticism into a phenomenon that can be discussed. In everyday conversation, 「〜はぬきにして」 works almost like a topic-switching device, moving the conversation away from jokes, appearances, prices, and other factors and back to what people actually want to discuss.
▌Situation ①｜Setting the budget aside in a meeting
A：この案は面白いですが、予算が少し心配ですね。
このあんは おもしろいですが、よさんが すこし しんぱいですね。
This proposal is interesting, but I am a little concerned about the budget.
B：予算はぬきにして、まず方向性だけ決めましょう。
よさんは ぬきにして、まず ほうこうせいだけ きめましょう。
Let’s set the budget aside for now and decide on the overall direction first.
📌 Grammar Point: 「予算はぬきにして」 does not mean that the budget is being rejected. It means that the budget is temporarily excluded from this round of discussion.
▌Situation ②｜A manager gives feedback
A：今回の資料、どうでしたか。
こんかいの しりょう、どうでしたか。
How was this set of materials?
B：内容はいいですが、説明が長くなる傾向があります。
ないようは いいですが、せつめいが ながくなるけいこうが あります。
The content is good, but the explanations tend to become too long.
📌 Grammar Point: 「長くなる傾向があります」 turns criticism into an observation and sounds softer than directly saying that something is too long.
▌Situation ③｜Friends seriously discussing a restaurant
A：あの店、内装はきれいでしたね。
あのみせ、ないそうは きれいでしたね。
That restaurant had a nice interior, didn’t it?
B：内装はぬきにして、料理は少し高い傾向がありますね。
ないそうは ぬきにして、りょうりは すこし たかいけいこうが ありますね。
Setting the interior aside, the food does tend to be a little expensive.
📌 Grammar Point: This sentence uses both expressions together. It first excludes the interior from consideration and then objectively describes the impression of the prices.
Cultural Notes:
- Japanese business feedback often avoids direct assertions. Expressions such as 「〜傾向があります」 and 「〜ように感じます」 allow some room in the evaluation. They may sound indirect, but the main point remains clear.
- 「冗談はぬきにして」 often appears at the moment when the mood shifts from lighthearted to serious. It does not sound like a command; rather, it is a natural way to change the direction of the conversation.
- 「傾向」 is a relatively written-style word. It can also be used in everyday conversation, but if you are simply saying that someone often does something, 「よく〜する」 is more natural.
How do Japanese 「〜傾向がある／〜は抜きにして」 compare with Korean 「경향이 있다／은·는 빼고」?
◆ Similar grammar: 「경향이 있다」 and 「은/는 빼고」
Korean 「경향이 있다」, like Japanese 「〜傾向がある」, can describe an overall trend. Korean 「은/는 빼고」 is similar to Japanese 「〜はぬきにして」 and means excluding something or temporarily leaving it out of consideration.
- Example: 요즘 사람들은 짧은 영상을 많이 보는 경향이 있어요.
Romanization: yo-jeum sa-ram-deu-reun jjal-beun yeong-sang-eul ma-ni bo-neun gyeong-hyang-i i-sseo-yo
Translation: These days, people tend to watch short-form videos more often.
This is similar to the Japanese 「動画を見る傾向があります」. Both describe an overall behavioral pattern. - Example: 가격은 빼고, 디자인만 한번 봅시다.
Romanization: ga-gyeo-geun ppae-go, di-ja-in-man han-beon bop-si-da
Translation: Let’s leave the price aside and just look at the design.
This is very similar to the Japanese 「価格はぬきにして」 and carries the nuance of temporarily excluding price as a factor.
◆ Core differences from 「〜な傾向／〜はぬきにして」:
Japanese 「〜な傾向」 has a relatively written tone and sounds natural in reports or commentary. Korean 「경향이 있다」 is also somewhat formal, though it is commonly used in conversation as well. Japanese 「〜はぬきにして」 more often carries the sense of shifting the conversation to “let’s put that aside and talk seriously about the main issue” than Korean 「은/는 빼고」 does.
Japanese 「〜傾向がある」 usually requires a period of observation or multiple examples in the background. If you have visited a restaurant only once and thought the food was somewhat expensive, simply saying 「少し高めでした」 is enough. Once the same kind of situation has appeared repeatedly, 「〜傾向がある」 becomes more appropriate. 「〜は抜きにして」, by contrast, tells the listener what the discussion will focus on next. Cost, appearance, or jokes are only being set aside temporarily and may still be brought back into the discussion later. When you encounter these two patterns, first ask whether the sentence means “this often tends to happen” or “let’s not talk about this for now.” That makes them much easier to distinguish.
FAQs
Japanese 「〜な傾向」 expresses a common trend or inclination. It is usually not an absolute statement. Instead, based on observations, data, or experience, it indicates that something is relatively likely to develop in a certain direction.
Japanese 「〜はぬきにして」 means temporarily setting aside a certain factor or leaving a condition out of the discussion for the time being. It does not mean that the factor will never matter; it is simply excluded from the current judgment.
「よく〜する」 is more conversational and simply means that someone often does something. 「〜な傾向がある」 is more objective and is commonly used to describe behavioral patterns, social phenomena, or workplace feedback. The former sounds like an everyday description, while the latter sounds more like an analytical judgment.
「〜はぬきにして」 is often used when temporarily excluding a topic or condition from a discussion, while 「〜なしで」 more often refers to actually being without something or doing something without it. For example, 「冗談はぬきにして」 shifts the conversation into a serious mode, whereas 「砂糖なしで」 literally means without sugar.
The most common mistakes are treating 「〜な傾向」 as a 100% absolute statement or understanding 「〜はぬきにして」 as meaning something never needs to be considered. The former leaves room for exceptions, while the latter only means temporarily excluding something. Neither is absolute.