低
低·low
- On-yomi
- テイ
- Kun-yomi
- ひく(い)ひく(める)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 低下 | ていか | decline, drop |
| 最低 | さいてい | lowest, worst |
| 低い | ひくい | low, short |
| 低音 | ていおん | low tone, bass |
Example sentences
今日は気温が低いですね。
きょうはきおんがひくいですね。
The temperature is low today, isn't it?
最低でも三日はかかります。
さいていでもみっかはかかります。
It will take three days at the very least.
睡眠が足りないと、集中力が低下する。
すいみんがたりないと、しゅうちゅうりょくがていかする。
When you do not sleep enough, your concentration declines.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Using 低い for a person's height in polite speech — 背が低い is fine, but 小さい is gentler
- Forgetting that 最低 also means terrible or awful when describing behavior
Memory aid
Picture it
A person (亻) bent down close to the ground line at the bottom — crouching low.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5
What does the kanji 低 mean?