Translation guide
Describes a tendency to get angry quickly. Japanese has several common expressions ranging from personality traits to temporary states.
Describing someone who is generally quick to anger as part of their character.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'short-tempered' or 'quick-tempered'. Commonly used to describe a person's nature.
He has a short temper.
a short-tempered personality
Literally 'one's spirit is short'. A common set phrase meaning 'short-tempered'.
My father has a short temper.
An i-adjective meaning 'easily angered' or 'quick to anger'. Emphasizes the tendency to get angry.
She is short-tempered.
Literally 'to cause short temper', meaning 'to lose one's temper' or 'to get angry quickly'. More of an action than a trait.
He quickly loses his temper.
Describing a temporary mood where one is easily annoyed or quick to snap.
Means 'irritated' or 'on edge'. Describes a temporary state of being easily annoyed.
I have a short temper today.
Onomatopoeic expression for being edgy or testy. Slightly more colloquial than イライラ.
He's been short-tempered lately.
短気 is a more formal, character-describing term, while 怒りっぽい is slightly more colloquial and emphasizes the frequency of anger. 気が短い is a common, neutral phrase.
A short temper leads to loss. (proverb)
Do not translate 'short temper' literally as 短い気性 or similar. Use the established expressions above.