背が低いです
se ga hikui desu
In Japanese, "I am short" is expressed as 背が低いです (se ga hikui desu).
This phrase is used to make a statement that a person's height is below average.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 背, which literally means 'stature' or 'height' when referring to a person and the adjective 低い, which means 'low'. In Japanese, this adjective is used to describe height.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite way to express that you are short in height, you can use 身長が低いです. You can also use 私は背が低いです as a polite way to describe being short in stature. To speak informally, you can use the casual version 身長が低い or simply drop the です from the end of the phrase to say 背が低い.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle が is used to mark 'height' as the subject that possesses the quality of being 'low'.
How do you pronounce it?
se ga hikui desu
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'short' for both height and length, Japanese uses 低い ('low') for height and 短い ('short') for length. Using 短い to describe a person's height would sound as if a piece of their body is missing.
- While you might use 背が低い to describe yourself, avoid using the word 小さい (chiisai), which means 'small', to describe your height. In Japanese, 小さい usually refers to overall physical volume or size, and using it for height can sound like you are describing yourself as a small object.
- In Japanese culture, calling someone 背が低い can be seen as a criticism. People often use the euphemism 小柄 ('small build') to be more polite or complimentary.
Examples in context
- 先生、私は身長が低いですが、頑張ります！Teacher, I am short, but I will do my best!
- お客様、私は背が低いですが、努力します！Sir/Madam, I am short, but I will make an effort!
- やっぱり、身長が低いなぁ。As expected, I am short.
- みんな、知ってるけど私、背が小さいんだよね。Everyone knows, but I am short, you know.
- 弟は背が低いです。Otōto wa se ga hikui desu.My younger brother is short.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about their heights.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは背が高いですね。Yota-san wa se ga takai desu ne.Yota, you are tall, aren't you?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、でも美咲さんはどうですか？Hai, demo Misaki-san wa dou desu ka?Yes, but what about you, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misaki私は背が低いです。Watashi wa se ga hikui desu.I am short.
- 陽太 Yotaいいえ、ちょうどいいと思いますよ。Iie, choudo ii to omoimasu yo.No, I think you are just the right height.
