短い

• Reading: みじかい
• Romaji: mijikai
• Kanji breakdown: 短 (mijika/tan) — short, brief
• Pronunciation: /mi.d͡ʑi.ka.i/

Meaning

Short. Describes shortness in length, distance, or duration.

An i-adjective that is the antonym of 長い. Used for physical shortness (hair, pencils, skirts) and temporal brevity (breaks, holidays). Not used for height — 低い is used instead. Conjugates regularly: 短くない, 短かった, 短くなかった.

Examples

1. 冬休みは短いです。 Winter break is short.
2. 弟の髪は短くてかっこいいです。 My younger brother's hair is short and looks cool.
3. この鉛筆は短くなりました。 This pencil has gotten short.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, descriptions, time

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 短 combines 矢 (arrow) and 豆 (bean), suggesting something as short as a small arrow or bean.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal