Japanese word

短い

Pronunciation

Romajimijikai

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveshort

Example

この映画は短いです。ko no ei ga wa mijika i de su

This movie is short.

Illustration for 短い (short)

More examples

このお話は短いです。ko no o hanashi wa mijika i de su

This story is short.

彼は短い返事で答えました。kare wa mijika i hen ji de kota e ma shi ta

He answered with a short reply.

Core concept

Marks a limited span in space or time, emphasizing that something does not extend far or last long.

Common phrases

  • 短い髪mijika i kami

    short hair

  • 短い時間mijika i ji kan

    a short time

  • 短い返事mijika i hen ji

    a short reply

Definition in Japanese

空間的な長さや時間的な持続が少ない。kū kan teki na naga sa ya ji kan teki na ji zoku ga suku na i

Word origin

短い (mijikai, "short") is a native Japanese adjective; its older form 短し (mijikashi, "short") appears in earlier Japanese, and the modern form preserves its core meaning.

Usage tips

  • When talking about plans, 短い (mijikai) naturally describes a brief stay, lesson, or meeting as well as something with little physical length.

Opposites

Related words

  • 短さmijikasashortnessnoun

Word lists with this word