Japanese word

平たい

Pronunciation

Romajihiratai

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveflat

Example

この石は平たいです。ko no ishi wa hira ta i de su

This stone is flat.

Illustration for 平たい (flat)

More examples

この箱は平たいですので、重ねて置きやすいです。ko no bako wa hira ta i de su no de kasa ne te o ki ya su i de su

This box is flat, so it is easy to stack.

Core concept

Describes a shape that spreads broadly with little rise or unevenness from top to bottom.

Common phrases

  • 平たい顔hira ta i kao

    flat face

  • 平たい皿hira ta i sara

    flat dish

Similar words

平べったいhirabettai: Describes something that is broad and low, with little thickness or height.

Definition in Japanese

表面や形が、上下の起伏が少なく、横に広がっているさま。hyō men ya katachi ga jō ge no ki fuku ga suku na ku yoko ni hiro ga tte i ru sa ma

Word origin

平たい (hiratai) combines 平 (hira, "flat") with the native adjective-forming suffix たい (tai), describing a shape with little height.

Usage tips

  • The adjective 平たい (hiratai) usually describes a physically flattened object, while English flat has many wider uses, including sound and mood.

Other meanings

  • leveli-adjective
  • eveni-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 平たさhiratasaflatnessnoun

Word lists with this word