狭
狭·narrow
- On-yomi
- キョウ
- Kun-yomi
- せま(い)せば(める)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 狭い | せまい | narrow, cramped |
| 狭める | せばめる | to narrow something |
| 狭まる | せばまる | to become narrower |
| 手狭 | てぜま | cramped, too small for one's needs |
Example sentences
この部屋は少し狭い。
このへやはすこしせまい。
This room is a little cramped.
道が狭くて車が通れない。
みちがせまくてくるまがとおれない。
The road is too narrow for cars to pass.
家族が増えて家が手狭になった。
かぞくがふえていえがてぜまになった。
The house got too small as the family grew.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Using 狭い for a thin object — a narrow pencil or a thin line is 細い; 狭い is about space
- Reading 狭める as せまめる — it is せばめる
Memory aid
Picture it
The dog radical 犭 squeezed up against 夾 — barely room for the dog to turn around.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 狭 mean?