Translation guide
The English word "short" covers several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down by practical use: describing physical length/height, time duration, insufficient quantity, and personality traits. Each meaning has its own natural Japanese expressions.
Describing something as not long or not tall (objects, people, distances).
Used for length (strings, hair, skirts, time). Not for height of people.
This skirt is too short.
Please cut my hair short.
Used for height of people, buildings, mountains, or anything with a vertical dimension. Also means low (sound, status).
This table is too short (low).
Means small in general. Can imply short when referring to stature, but is less precise than 背が低い.
That kid is the shortest in the class.
Literally 'a sun short'. Used for clothing that is slightly too short, like sleeves or pants. Somewhat old-fashioned.
These pants are a bit short.
Describing a brief period of time.
Not enough of something (money, people, time).
The most common way to say 'not enough' or 'short of'. Used for money, time, people, etc.
I'm short on money.
We're short-staffed.
Noun/suru-verb meaning shortage or deficiency. More formal than 足りない.
Pattern for 'to be short on ~'. Used in formal writing.
Easily angered; impatient.
Speaking in a brief, sometimes rude way.
Electrical short circuit.
Saying 彼は短い (kare wa mijikai) is incorrect. Use 背が低い (se ga hikui) or 小さい (chiisai).
短い is for horizontal or temporal length (strings, time). 低い is for vertical height (people, ceilings, sounds).
His life was short.
It's difficult to master Japanese in a short period.
The vacation was over in a flash (felt short).
資金が不足している。
We are short of funds.
I am short on experience.
My father is short-tempered.
They say a short temper leads to loss, so calm down.
Na-adjective meaning blunt, curt, short-spoken. Often used for a person's manner.
He has a short (blunt) way of speaking.
短絡が原因で火災が発生した。
A short circuit caused the fire.