低い（ひくい、hikui）
- low

The Japanese word 低い (ひくい - hikui) primarily means "low" or "short" in the sense of height, level, or degree. It can describe a physical measurement, a figurative concept, or a quality. The meaning depends on the context of its usage. 低い is an adjective. ⚫︎ It describes something that is not high in physical space: a [低い] ceiling, a [低い] table, etc. ⚫︎ It describes a level or degree that is below average or a certain standard: [低い] grades, a [低い] voice, [低い] prices, etc. ⚫︎ It can describe a person's character, usually negatively: [低い] self-esteem.

⚫︎ 天井が低いです。 Translation: The ceiling is low. ⚫︎ 彼は低い声で話しました。 Translation: He spoke in a low voice. ⚫︎ この店の価格は低いです。 Translation: The prices at this store are low.

⚫︎ Use 低い to describe something's physical height when compared to something else. ⚫︎ Use it to describe the value or degree of something (e.g. price, grades, emotions). ⚫︎ It is a common adjective in everyday conversation. Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended.

⚫︎ 低い is typically written in hiragana as ひくい. ⚫︎ The kanji form is 低い. ⚫︎ The okurigana (the hiragana suffix) is い. There are no other ways to write this word.

⚫︎ 浅い (asai) - shallow (can be used for water, but sometimes figurative meaning) ⚫︎ 少ない (sukunai) - few, little (when talking about quantity or amount) ⚫︎ 小さい (chiisai) - small (used for size, but not specifically height)

⚫︎ 高い (takai) - high, tall, expensive ⚫︎ 大きい (ookii) - big, large (not specifically referring to height)

その橋は低いので、大きな船は通れません。 ・Translation: That bridge is low, so large ships cannot pass through. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 低い to describe the physical height of the bridge.

彼女の自己肯定感は低い。 ・Translation: Her self-esteem is low. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 低い to describe her level of self-esteem, in this case, a figurative meaning.

The etymology of 低い is thought to be from the verb stem 低 (hiku), meaning "to be low" or "to descend", and the adjectival suffix い (i). It has been used since ancient times.