What it means
めく is a suffix that forms an intransitive verb meaning that something begins to show signs of the noun’s qualities or comes to seem characteristically like it. It often describes gradual seasonal, atmospheric, behavioral, or stylistic changes, as in something becoming springlike, mysterious, or sarcastic. The resulting expressions are frequently literary, descriptive, or formal rather than casual everyday wording.
Usage note
めく attaches primarily to nouns and is not freely combined with every noun; many forms are established lexical expressions. It is a verb ending, so its polite counterpart is formed with めきます rather than by adding です.
How to use it
山の景色が春めきます。
The mountain scenery is beginning to show signs of spring.
山の景色が春めく。
The mountain scenery is beginning to show signs of spring.
Example sentences
長い冬が終わり、校庭の木々も春めいてきた。
The long winter ended, and even the trees in the schoolyard have begun to look springlike.
夕暮れの空が秋めき、駅前の風も急に冷たくなった。
The evening sky took on an autumnal quality, and the wind in front of the station suddenly grew cold.
新刊の表紙