How to say "confined" in Japanese

• 狭いせまいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers the physical sense: a space that is narrow, small, or cramped. As the common everyday word, this is the natural choice when 'confined' describes a room or area that feels tight.
  この部屋へやは私わたしたちにとって狭せますぎる。↗

  This room is too small for us.
• 狭隘きょうあい
  na-adjective, nounMatches the same physical sense of narrow or confined spaces, but being less common it is seldom the word you want; in ordinary use 狭い covers this meaning.
• 自由がきかないじゆうがきかない
  expression, i-adjectiveCovers 'confined' in the sense of restricted or unfree rather than physically small: use it when circumstances leave you unable to move or act as freely as you would like.
  ギプスのせいで左手ひだりての自由じゆうがきかない。↗

  I can't use my left hand because of the plaster cast.

Use 「狭い」 for physically narrow or cramped spaces; 狭隘 is a less common synonym for that same physical sense; choose 「自由がきかない」 when 'confined' means restricted, unable to move or act freely.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 狭いせまいnarrow
• 狭隘きょうあいnarrow
• 自由がきかないじゆうがきかないrestricted