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.
low (height)
low (temperature/volume)
low (battery)
Describing something that is not high up, close to the ground, or at a low level.
Describing a small quantity, low level, or weak intensity of something like temperature, pressure, volume, etc.
Also used for abstract levels: low temperature, low pressure, low volume, low probability, 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'.
Describing something of poor quality, inferior, or not meeting expectations.
Can be used for low quality, low standard, low level of skill, etc.
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.
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.
The river is low.
水位 (water level) is more specific than just 低い.
a room with a low ceiling
この椅子は少し低めです。
This chair is a bit on the low side.
The temperature is low today.
Please turn the volume down (make it low).
Means 'few' or 'little' in quantity. Use when 'low' refers to a small number or amount.
The number of participants is low.
He has a low voice.
Means 'small' and is used for low volume (quiet).
Your voice is low (quiet).
Literally 'low sound', used in technical or musical contexts for bass or low frequencies.
This speaker has strong low sounds (bass).
I've been feeling low lately.
Means 'lacking energy/spirit'. Often used when someone looks low.
He seems low, doesn't he?
A stronger, more literary word for 'gloomy' or 'depressed'.
a low (gloomy) mood
This product is of low quality.
Simply means 'bad'. Often more natural than 低い for quality in casual speech.
The quality is low (bad).
Means 'to be inferior to'. Used in comparisons.
This car is lower in performance than that one.
He has a low status.
Specifically refers to low social standing or class.
He was born into a family of low status.
The battery is low.
Literally 'remaining little', used when something is almost used up.
The ink is low.
I'm feeling low today.
Speak in a low voice.