低い
hikui[çikɯ̟i]
The Japanese word for low is 低い (hikui).
低い is an adjective used to describe something that is small in height, low in level or low in pitch. It can be applied to physical objects like a building, as well as to abstract qualities such as temperature, voltage or social status.
Meaning: small in height (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 低い can be used to describe things that are low in pitch or level, if you want to specifically describe a person's height (to be short in stature), it is most natural to use the phrase 背が低い.
How does it change in a sentence?
Its negative form is 低くない (is not low) and its past tense form is 低かった (was low).
How do you pronounce it?
hikui
Did you know?
- The phrase 腰を低くする literally means to keep one's waist 'low', but it is an idiom meaning to be humble or modest toward others.
- The antonym of 低い is 高い, which means both 'high' and 'expensive', reflecting a conceptual link between height and value.
- While 'low' in English often pairs with 'high' for prices, in Japanese, describing a 'low price' often uses the word 安い, which literally means 'cheap'.
Examples in context
- トムは声が低い。Tom has a low-pitched voice.This sentence is useful for describing a low-pitched voice using 低い.Tatoeba #2946902 by tommy_san, translation #1025469 by CK
- 血圧が低いんだ。I have low blood pressure.This sentence is useful for describing low blood pressure using 低い.Tatoeba #9037416 by small_snow, translation #257206 by sacredceltic
- 血圧が低いですね。Your blood pressure's low.Tatoeba #10201231 by small_snow, translation #3831480 by CK
- 価格が低めです。The price is relatively low.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a photo of a person.
- 陽太 Yota彼は背が低いね。Kare wa se ga hikui ne.He is short, isn't he?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、少し低いね。Un, sukoshi hikui ne.Yeah, he is a bit short.
- 陽太 Yotaモデルとしてはどうかな？Moderu to shite wa dou kana?How about him as a model?
- 美咲 Misaki背は低いけど、スタイルがいいよ。Se wa hikui kedo, sutairu ga ii yo.He's short, but he has a good figure.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 低い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
