Japanese word

短気

Pronunciation

Romajitanki

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveshort temper

Example

彼は短気です。kare wa tan ki de su

He has a short temper.

Illustration for 短気 (short temper)

More examples

弟は疲れると短気になります。otōto wa tsuka re ru to tan ki ni na ri ma su

My younger brother becomes irritable when he gets tired.

Core concept

Describes a tendency to lose patience and become angry before a problem has been resolved.

Common phrases

  • 短気な人tan ki na hito

    short-tempered person

  • 短気になるtan ki ni na ru

    become short-tempered

Similar words

せっかちsekkachi: A tendency to dislike waiting and hurry actions or decisions.

Definition in Japanese

我慢できずにすぐ腹を立てる性質。ga man de ki zu ni su gu hara o ta te ru sei shitsu

Word origin

短気 (tanki) combines 短 (tan, "short") and 気 (ki, "spirit or temper"), portraying a temper that reaches anger quickly.

Usage tips

  • The form 短気な (tankina) comes before a noun, as in 短気な人 (tankina hito), while 短気だ (tanki da) can end a statement.

Other meanings

  • impatiencenoun
  • irritabilitynoun

Opposites

  • 気長kinagapatientna-adjective

Related words

  • 短気さtankisairritabilitynoun

Word lists with this word