How to say "shallow" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 浅いあさいi-adjectiveThe basic adjective: covers physical shallowness of water or containers and, figuratively, superficial knowledge or understanding. When you simply mean 'shallow' in either sense, this is the default choice.
- 浅はかあさはかna-adjectiveShallow in the sense of thoughtless and short-sighted: a critical word for a person's thinking, judgment, or plans, not for physical depth.
- 上滑りうわすべりno-adjective, na-adjective, suru verb, intransitive verbSuperficial in the sense of staying on the surface: describes talk, discussion, or handling of a subject that glides along without going into depth. Think of a conversation that never gets below the surface.
- 上っ調子うわっちょうしna-adjective, nounFlippant and frivolous rather than truly 'shallow': describes a lighthearted, unserious manner or attitude. Choose it when someone is being flip or breezy, not when you mean shallow thought or knowledge.
- 軽薄けいはくna-adjective, nounFrivolous, flippant superficiality of character or behavior; a disapproving word for someone light and unserious in manner. For shallow water or shallow thinking it is seldom the word you want.
Use 「浅い」 for literal shallowness and superficial knowledge; 「浅はか」 for shallow, short-sighted thinking; 「上滑り」 for surface-level talk; 「上っ調子」 and 軽薄 for flippant, frivolous people or manners rather than shallow thought.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 浅いあさいshallow
- 浅はかあさはかshallow
- 上滑りうわすべりsuperficial
- 上っ調子うわっちょうしflippant
- 軽薄けいはくfrivolous
- 薄っぺらうすっぺらvery thin
- 浅薄せんぱくshallow
- 生半可なまはんかsuperficial
- かいなでsuperficial (knowledge, learning, etc.)
- 皮相的ひそうてきsuperficial
- 表層的ひょうそうてきsuperficial
- 薄っぺらいうすっぺらいvery thin
- ペラいvery thin
- 安価あんかshallow (e.g. sympathy)
- 薄手うすでsuperficial (knowledge, critique, etc.)
- 皮相ひそうsuperficial
See also
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