How to say "short" in Japanese

• 近いちかいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveMeans 'near' or 'close'; its 'short' applies only to distance, as in a place being a short distance away. Not the word for short lengths or short times.
• 短いみじかいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe general word for 'short': use it for length — something not long — and for duration — something over quickly. When 'short' simply means not long, this is the word you want.
  あの犬いぬはしっぽが短みじかい。↗

  That dog has a short tail.
• ショートCommon
  na-adjective, nounThe katakana loanword 'short'. It appears in borrowed expressions rather than as the adjective you reach for to say something is short; for length or duration, 短い is the word.
• 短絡たんらくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbReally an electrical term: a short circuit. Its 'short' is that noun, so it is not a way to call something short in length, time, or manner.
• そっけないJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjective'Short' here describes manner: a curt, cold, or blunt reply or way of speaking. Usually written in kana alone; nothing to do with length or distance.
  彼女かのじょはいつも僕ぼくにそっけない。↗

  She's always short with me.

Choose 「短い」 for short length or duration, 「近い」 only for short distance, 「そっけない」 for a curt, cold manner, 「ショート」 in borrowed expressions, and 短絡 for an electrical short circuit.

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

• 近いちかいnear
• 短いみじかいshort
• ショートshort
• 短絡たんらくshort circuit
• そっけないcold
• 遊撃手ゆうげきしゅshortstop
• 金がないかねがないbroke
• 短みじかshort
• 手短てみじかshort
• ちんちくりんshort (in height)
• 背が低いせがひくいshort (of a person)
• 手短いてみじかいshort
• 背の低いせのひくいshort (of a person)
• いくばくもないbrief (amount of time)
• すげないcurt
• ばっさり(cutting) with a single stroke
• 小部しょうぶ(of a book, etc.) short
• 低いひくいshort (height)
• 浅いあさいshort (time)
• 遊撃ゆうげきshortstop
• 短たんshort