ミニ
The English phrase "mini" is translated into Japanese as ミニ.
The most common way to say "mini" in Japanese is the borrowed English word ミニ. While ミニ is widely used, other terms exist depending on the context: 小さい means "small" or "little" and ミニチュア is used for a miniature or scaled-down version. In technical contexts, 超小型 can convey the idea of "miniature" or "compact", whereas コンパクト is a loanword meaning "compact" or "small". For extremely small or ultra-miniature objects, use 極小 and for something minuscule or microscopic, use 微小.
Did you know?
- The term ミニキャラ or 'mini-chara' refers to a specific art style where characters are drawn in a small, cute, and simplified 'chibi' form.
- In Japan, the word ミニ is strongly associated with the 'mini-skirt' fashion trend of the 1960s, which was seen as a symbol of Westernization and youth rebellion.
- The word ミニ often implies a 'cute' or 'aesthetic' quality in Japan, whereas 'small' in English might be purely functional.
Examples in context
- ミニスカートがまた流行している。Mini-skirts are back in fashion again.This sentence shows the use of ミニ in the context of fashion trends.Tatoeba #195065 by tommy__san, translation #32239 by Dejo
- テニスウェアってなんでミニスカートなのかしら？I wonder why tennis is played in mini-skirts.This sentence uses ミニ to refer to tennis attire.Tatoeba #75073 by fcbond, translation #328646 by fcbond
- 彼女はグリーンのコートを着、それに合ったミニスカートをはいていた。She was in a green coat and matching mini-skirt.This sentence demonstrates how ミニ is used to describe a matching skirt.Tatoeba #92940 by mookeee, translation #310769 by CM
- わたしはミニクーパーを持っています。I have a Mini Cooper.
- このパソコンはとても小さいです。This computer is very small.
- 彼はミニチュアの車を作っています。He is building a miniature car.
- 新しい超小型カメラが発売されました。A new miniature camera has been released.
- コンパクトな財布を見つけました。I found a compact wallet.
- 極小のヘアピンが落ちてしまいました。I dropped a tiny hairpin.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about a new car.
- 結衣 Yuiこのミニカー、すごく可愛いね。Kono minikā, sugoku kawaii ne.This mini car is so cute, isn't it?
- 健太 Kenta本当だね。サイズがちょうどいいよ。Hontō da ne. Saizu ga chōdo ii yo.It really is. The size is just right.
- 結衣 Yuiミニサイズだから、飾りやすいと思うな。Mini saizu dakara, kazariyasui to omou na.I think it's easy to display because it's mini size.
- 健太 Kenta僕もそう思う。一つ買おうかな。Boku mo sō omou. Hitotsu kaō kana.I think so too. Maybe I'll buy one.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
