短い
mijikailength, time
The Japanese word for "short" in length or time is 短い (mijikai). For a person's height, Japanese uses 背が低い (se ga hikui), which uses 低い (hikui), "low".
Meaning: short in length or time (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 短い | mijikai | length, time |
| 低い | hikui | height of a person |
Which one should you use?
English "short" is one word, but Japanese splits it. 短い (mijikai) is used for hair, skirts, stories and time. 低い (hikui) is used for height. The opposite of 短い (mijikai) is 長い (nagai), "long".
How does it change in a sentence?
短い (mijikai) is an i-adjective. The past form is 短かった (mijikakatta) and the adverb form is 短く (mijikaku), as in 髪を短く切る (kami o mijikaku kiru), "to cut hair short".
Did you know?
- The word 短い (mijikai) is also used in the proverb 短気は損気 (tanki wa sonki), which says that a short temper brings loss.
Examples in context
- 髪が短いです。Kami ga mijikai desu.The hair is short.
- 短い話ですよ。Mijikai hanashi desu yo.It is a short story.
- 弟は背が低いです。Otouto wa se ga hikui desu.My younger brother is short.
Example conversation
Mai visits a hair salon and talks to the stylist Mr. Kondo.
- Kondoどのくらい切りますか。Dono kurai kirimasu ka.How much would you like cut?
- Mai短くしてください。Mijikaku shite kudasai.Please make it short.
- Kondo分かりました。Wakarimashita.Understood.
