Japanese word

短所

Pronunciation

Romajitansho

Meaning

  • nounweakness

Example

私の短所は、忘れっぽいことです。watashi no tan sho wa wasu re ppo i ko to de su

My weakness is that I am forgetful.

Illustration for 短所 (weakness)

More examples

自分の短所を認めることは、成長の第一歩です。ji bun no tan sho o mito me ru ko to wa sei chō no dai ichi ho de su

Acknowledging your weakness is the first step toward growth.

Core concept

Describes an aspect of a person or thing that falls short of what is desirable.

Common phrases

  • 短所を補うtan sho o ogina u

    make up for a weakness

  • 短所を克服するtan sho o koku fuku su ru

    overcome a weakness

  • 短所を認めるtan sho o mito me ru

    acknowledge a weakness

Similar words

欠点ketten: A fault or flaw in a person, thing, or system.
弱点jakuten: A point of weakness that can limit ability or invite difficulty.
難点nanten: A troublesome feature or drawback that makes something difficult to use or accept.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事の性質や能力などのうち、好ましくない点。hito ya mono goto no sei shitsu ya nō ryoku na do no u chi kono ma shi ku na i ten

Word origin

短所 (tansho) combines 短 (tan, "short") and 所 (sho, "place") to describe a point where something falls short of the desired standard.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 短所 (tansho) often appears with 長所 (chōsho) when a person or thing is described in terms of both its unfavorable and favorable points.

Other meanings

  • disadvantagenoun
  • defectnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word