狭い

• Reading: せまい
• Romaji: semai
• Kanji breakdown: 狭 (sema/kyou) — narrow, cramped, confined
• Pronunciation: /se.ma.i/

Meaning

Narrow; confined; small; cramped. Describes a tight or restricted space.

An i-adjective that is the antonym of 広い. Commonly used to describe rooms, streets, and living spaces. In Japan, where living spaces are often compact, this is a frequently used word. Conjugates regularly: 狭くない, 狭かった, 狭くなかった.

Examples

1. この部屋は少し狭いです。 This room is a little cramped.
2. 狭い道を自転車で通りました。 I rode my bike down a narrow street.
3. 東京のアパートは狭いけど便利です。 Apartments in Tokyo are small but convenient.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, housing, descriptions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 狭 combines the dog radical 犭 with 夾 (to squeeze between), suggesting a cramped space.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal