Japanese Conversation · Level 56
75 words
Japanese word
狭い
Pronunciation
Romajisemai
Meaning
- i-adjectivenarrow
Example
この道は狭いです。ko no michi wa sema i de su
This road is narrow.
More examples
狭い部屋でも、工夫すれば広く使えます。sema i heya de mo ku fū su re ba hiro ku tsuka e ma su
Even a small room can feel spacious if you arrange it well.
Core concept
Describes something whose width, space, or scope leaves little room for movement or variation.
Common phrases
狭い路地sema i ro ji
a narrow alley
狭い廊下sema i rō ka
a narrow hallway
狭い階段sema i kai dan
a narrow staircase
Similar words
狭苦しいsemakurushii: Describes a place that feels cramped because it leaves too little room for movement.
細いhosoi: Describes something with little width, often in a long, slender shape.
Definition in Japanese
幅や空間などが小さく、ゆとりがない。haba ya kū kan na do ga chii sa ku yu to ri ga na i
Word origin
The native Japanese adjective 狭い (semai) is formed from the stem 狭 (sema, "narrow or limited") and the adjective ending い (i).
Usage tips
- The Japanese adjective 狭い (semai) often describes a place that feels cramped because little room remains for movement, not only a physically narrow width.
Other meanings
- crampedi-adjective
- smalli-adjective
Opposites
- 広いhiroiwidei-adjective
Related words
- 狭さsemasanarrownessnoun
- 狭めるsebamerunarrowverb