Translation guide
This guide explains how to express that something is insufficient in length, duration, or height, covering common Japanese adjectives, verbs, and set phrases.
Expressing that something is not long enough in physical length or time.
The most common adjective for 'short' in length or duration. Use this for objects, distances, or time periods that are too short.
This skirt is too short.
The vacation was too short.
Directly means 'too short'. Attach to nouns with が or use as a predicate.
These pants are too short.
Means 'insufficient' or 'not enough'. Can be used for length when combined with length-related nouns.
The length is insufficient.
Saying someone is too short in stature.
Expressing that a deadline or time allowed is too short.
While '短い' means short, it is not used for people's height. Use '背が低い' instead. Saying '彼は短い' sounds like 'he is short (in length)', which is unnatural.
'短い' focuses on the attribute of being short, while '足りない' focuses on insufficiency. For length, '短すぎる' is more direct; '長さが足りない' is more about not meeting a required length.
That guy is a shrimp.