Meaning and Usage
The word 短気 (たんき) means "quick temper" or "impatience." It describes someone who easily loses their temper or gets frustrated quickly. This word is often used to describe personality traits and can carry a slightly negative nuance.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 短気 used when talking about someone's character, especially if they tend to react emotionally or angrily in stressful situations. It is common in both casual and formal conversations but tends to be more neutral or slightly critical rather than harsh.
Collocations and Patterns
- 短気な人 (たんきなひと): a quick-tempered person
- 短気を起こす (たんきをおこす): to lose one's temper
- 短気は損気 (たんきはそんき): a proverb meaning "quick temper leads to loss"
Usage Tips
When using 短気, it often implies a need for patience or calmness. For example, advising someone to control their 短気 suggests they should be more patient. Avoid confusing 短気 with 急ぐ (いそぐ, to hurry); 短気 focuses on emotional impatience rather than rushing physically.
Register and Politeness
短気 is a neutral noun and can be used in both casual and polite speech. When describing someone else's temperament, it is polite to use it carefully to avoid offending.