~め (somewhat X, on the X side)
grammar4 sentences
The suffix ~め attached to an i-adjective stem, 'somewhat X / on the X side / X-ish / a bit X / -er side.' Softens an adjective into a relative or comparative description: 大きめ ('a bit large / larger side'), 早め ('a bit early'), 長め ('longish'), 硬め ('somewhat firm').