How to say "dwarf" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

小人こびとCommon
nounCovers the folklore and fantasy sense of 'dwarf' — the little people of fairy tales alongside beings like fairies, elves, and gnomes. This is the word to use for dwarfs as storybook or mythical creatures.
ちびCommon
nounGlossed 'dwarf', but it really means a short person and is a sensitive word, so it can easily sound insulting. It is seldom the word you want for 'dwarf'; avoid it for the fantasy sense.
ぼくにチビと言いわれてあいつはすごくあたまにきた。↗
He got mad at me for calling him Shorty.

Use 小人 for dwarfs as fantasy or folklore beings, while 「ちび」 is a sensitive, colloquial word for a short person and is a poor choice for the 'dwarf' sense.

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

Japanese equivalents

小人こびとlittle person (in folklore and fantasy, e.g. fairy, elf, gnome)
ドワーフdwarf (esp. in folklore or fantasy literature)
朱儒しゅじゅdwarf
一寸法師いっすんぼうしdwarf
矮人わいじんdwarf
短稈たんかんshort-stalked (of grains)
ちびすけpipsqueak
ちびshort person
矮性わいせいdwarf
小人しょうじんdwarf

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