Translation guide
The English word "low" covers many meanings, from physical height to sound, mood, and quality. This guide breaks them down into practical Japanese expressions.
Describing something that is not high up, close to the ground, or at a low level.
The most common word for 'low' in physical sense: low height, low position, low ceiling, etc.
このテーブルは低いです。
This table is low.
天井が低い部屋
a room with a low ceiling
Means 'on the low side' or 'somewhat low'. Often used when comparing or describing a tendency.
Describing a small quantity, low level, or weak intensity of something like temperature, pressure, volume, etc.
Describing a deep pitch, quiet volume, or a subdued voice.
Used for low-pitched sounds or voices. Can also mean quiet, but for pitch it's the standard word.
Feeling sad, depressed, or lacking energy.
A natural way to say 'feeling low/down'. Literally 'my mood has fallen'.
最近、気分が落ち込んでいる。
I've been feeling low lately.
Describing something of poor quality, inferior, or not meeting expectations.
Referring to a humble position, low social standing, or inferior rank.
Used for low status, low rank, low position in a hierarchy.
Indicating that something is almost gone or in short supply.
Means 'is becoming low/running low'. Natural for supplies, battery, etc.
電池が少なくなっている。
The battery is low.
While 低い covers many 'low' meanings, it cannot be used for low quantity (use 少ない), low volume/quiet (use 小さい), or low mood (use phrases like 気分が落ち込んでいる).
低い is for low height (vertical), while 短い (みじかい) is for short length (horizontal). A low table is 低いテーブル, but a short pencil is 短い鉛筆.
今日は気分が落ち込んでいる。
I'm feeling low today.
低い声で話してください。
Speak in a low voice.
This chair is a bit on the low side.
Also used for abstract levels: low temperature, low pressure, low volume, low probability, etc.
今日は気温が低い。
The temperature is low today.
音量を低くしてください。
Please turn the volume down (make it low).
Means 'few' or 'little' in quantity. Use when 'low' refers to a small number or amount.
参加者が少ない。
The number of participants is low.
彼は声が低い。
He has a low voice.
Means 'small' and is used for low volume (quiet).
声が小さいです。
Your voice is low (quiet).
Literally 'low sound', used in technical or musical contexts for bass or low frequencies.
このスピーカーは低音が強い。
This speaker has strong low sounds (bass).
Means 'lacking energy/spirit'. Often used when someone looks low.
彼は元気がないね。
He seems low, doesn't he?
A stronger, more literary word for 'gloomy' or 'depressed'.
憂鬱な気分
a low (gloomy) mood
Can be used for low quality, low standard, low level of skill, etc.
この製品は品質が低い。
This product is of low quality.
Simply means 'bad'. Often more natural than 低い for quality in casual speech.
質が悪い。
The quality is low (bad).
Means 'to be inferior to'. Used in comparisons.
この車はあの車より性能が劣る。
This car is lower in performance than that one.
彼は地位が低い。
He has a low status.
Specifically refers to low social standing or class.
身分の低い家に生まれた。
He was born into a family of low status.
Literally 'remaining little', used when something is almost used up.
インクが残り少ない。
The ink is low.