Meaning and Usage
The adjective "低い" (hikui) primarily means "low" or "short" in height or level. It is commonly used to describe physical height, sound pitch, temperature, or abstract levels such as status or prices.
Common Collocations
- 低い声 (low voice): describing a deep or low-pitched voice.
- 低い机 (low desk): a desk that is physically low to the ground.
- 低い気温 (low temperature): referring to cold weather.
Usage Notes
"低い" is often used to describe tangible qualities like height or sound pitch but can also be used metaphorically for levels or degrees, such as low prices or low status. It is an i-adjective and can be conjugated accordingly.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse "低い" with "短い" (mijikai), which means "short" in length or duration rather than height. For example, "低い建物" means a building that is low in height, while "短い建物" is not commonly used.
Summary
Use "低い" when referring to something physically low or short, or when describing low levels in sound, temperature, or abstract measures.