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A2 adverb 8 Min. Lesezeit

低く

hikuku
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At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic physical meanings of 'hikuku.' This involves using the word to describe simple actions like a bird flying low or a person bending down. The focus is on the basic grammar: taking the adjective 'hikui' (low), removing the 'i,' and adding 'ku' to make it an adverb. Learners at this stage should practice using 'hikuku' with simple verbs like 'tobu' (fly) or 'naru' (become). For example, 'Sora ga hikuku narimashita' (The sky became low/overcast). The goal is to understand that 'hikuku' describes 'how' something is, rather than just 'what' it is. It's a stepping stone from static descriptions to dynamic ones.
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For A2 learners, 'hikuku' expands into the realm of sound and basic evaluation. You will start using it to describe the pitch of a voice or the level of a price. A common sentence might be 'Koe o hikuku shite kudasai' (Please lower your voice/pitch). You also begin to see 'hikuku' in comparative structures, like 'Kinō yori hikuku narimashita' (It became lower than yesterday). At this level, you should be comfortable using 'hikuku' to modify a variety of common verbs and understand its role in basic social interactions, such as asking someone to keep their voice down or noticing a drop in temperature.
At the B1 level, the use of 'hikuku' becomes more abstract and idiomatic. Learners begin to encounter phrases like 'koshi o hikuku suru' (to be humble/modest) and understand the cultural nuance behind it. You will also use 'hikuku' in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'hikuku mitsumoru' (to estimate low) in a business or planning context. The word starts appearing in more varied media, like news reports about economic trends or weather patterns. You should be able to distinguish between 'hikuku' and its synonyms like 'sagete' or 'chiisaku' based on the specific context of the conversation.
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B2 learners use 'hikuku' with precision in professional and academic settings. You will use it to describe statistical trends, such as 'shitsugyō-ritsu o hikuku osaeru' (keeping the unemployment rate low). The adverb is often paired with sophisticated verbs like 'suii suru' (to trend/move) or 'hyōka suru' (to evaluate). At this stage, you are expected to understand the subtle difference between 'hikuku' and formal kango (Sino-Japanese) terms like 'teika' or 'teigen.' You can use 'hikuku' to describe not just physical states, but complex social and economic phenomena with ease and accuracy.
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At the C1 level, 'hikuku' is used in nuanced literary and philosophical contexts. You might find it in literature describing the 'low' hanging clouds of a specific emotional atmosphere or in political discourse regarding 'low' expectations. C1 learners can appreciate the stylistic choice of using 'hikuku' over more technical terms to create a specific tone. You are also proficient in using 'hikuku' in complex conditional and causative sentences, such as 'Koe o hikuku saseru koto de, aite ni iatsu-kan o ataeru' (By making the voice low, one gives a sense of intimidation to the opponent).
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For C2 learners, 'hikuku' is a tool for masterful expression. You can use it to articulate the finest shades of meaning in poetry, legal documents, or high-level academic papers. You understand its historical etymology and how its usage has evolved. A C2 speaker might use 'hikuku' to describe the 'low' frequency of a rare celestial event or the 'low' profile maintained by a historical figure to avoid persecution. At this level, the word is part of a vast, interconnected web of vocabulary, and you can deploy it with perfect native-like intuition, choosing it specifically for its phonological or rhythmic contribution to a sentence.
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低く in 30 Sekunden

  • Hikuku is the adverbial form of the adjective hikui, meaning low in height, pitch, or value.
  • It is formed by changing the final 'i' of 'hikui' to 'ku' to modify following verbs.
  • Common uses include describing low-flying objects, deep voices, and low economic figures or evaluations.
  • In social contexts, it can imply humility, particularly in the phrase 'koshi o hikuku suru'.

The Japanese word 低く (hikuku) is the adverbial form of the i-adjective 低い (hikui), which primarily translates to 'low.' In the Japanese language, the transformation of an adjective into an adverb is a fundamental grammatical step, achieved by replacing the final 'i' with 'ku.' This shift allows the word to modify verbs, describing the manner in which an action occurs relative to height, pitch, or value. Understanding 低く is essential for CEFR A2 learners because it moves beyond simple descriptions of objects and begins to describe the world in motion. Whether you are talking about a bird gliding near the ground, a singer hitting a deep bass note, or a store clerk lowering prices, this adverb provides the necessary nuance to specify 'how' something is being positioned or performed at a lower level.

Physical Height
Used when an object moves or is positioned close to the ground or a base level. For example, a plane flying through fog might need to stay low to the horizon.

飛行機が雲の下を低く飛んでいます。(The airplane is flying low under the clouds.)

Auditory Pitch
Refers to the frequency of a sound. If someone speaks in a hushed or deep voice, 'hikuku' is the chosen adverb to describe that vocal quality.

彼は声を低くして、秘密を話した。(He lowered his voice and told a secret.)

Beyond physical and auditory realms, 低く is frequently used in abstract contexts such as economics and social evaluation. When interest rates are set low, or when a critic evaluates a film poorly, the word functions to indicate a position on a scale that is closer to the bottom than the top. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in news reports, daily conversations, and technical manuals. In Japanese culture, maintaining a 'low' posture or profile can also carry connotations of humility and politeness, though there are specific idiomatic expressions for those social nuances. By mastering 低く, a learner gains the ability to describe the intensity and position of actions across a broad spectrum of human experience.

Using 低く (hikuku) requires an understanding of how Japanese adverbs interact with verbs and adjectives. Unlike English, where adverbs often end in '-ly' and can sometimes be placed in various parts of a sentence, Japanese adverbs typically precede the verb they modify. The most common structure is [Noun] + [Particle] + 低く + [Verb]. For example, in the phrase 'shitsudo o hikuku tamotsu' (keep the humidity low), the adverb 'hikuku' directly informs the verb 'tamotsu' (to keep/maintain). This structural consistency makes it easier for learners to build complex thoughts once the basic pattern is internalized.

With Motion Verbs
Verbs like 飛ぶ (tobu - fly), 走る (hashiru - run), or 跳ぶ (tobu - jump) are often paired with hikuku to describe the trajectory of movement.

ボールを低く投げてください。(Please throw the ball low.)

With Measurement/Evaluation
When assessing value or quantity, verbs like 見積もる (mitsumoru - estimate) or 評価する (hyōka suru - evaluate) are common.

費用をなるべく低く抑えたいです。(I want to keep the costs as low as possible.)

Another important usage is in comparisons. When saying 'lower than X,' you would use the pattern 'X yori hikuku.' This is vital for discussing temperatures, scores, or rankings. For instance, 'Kyō no kion wa kinō yori hikuku naru deshō' (Today's temperature will likely be lower than yesterday's). Here, 低く acts as the bridge between the comparison and the state of change. In academic or formal writing, you might see 低く used to describe statistical trends, where data points are 'hikuku suii suru' (trending low). By practicing these various combinations, learners can transition from simple labeling to dynamic description.

The word 低く (hikuku) is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, appearing in contexts ranging from the mundane to the professional. One of the most frequent places you will encounter it is in weather forecasts. Meteorologists use it to describe atmospheric pressure (teikiatsu) or temperature drops. Hearing 'kion ga hikuku suii shimasu' (temperatures will trend low) is a staple of morning news broadcasts during the winter months. Similarly, in the world of finance and retail, 低く is a keyword. Advertisements for 'hikuku osae-ta kakaku' (prices kept low) or bank notices about 'hikuku settei sareta kinri' (low-set interest rates) are common sights on posters and digital ads.

In Sports and Martial Arts
Coaches often shout 'Hikuku!' to athletes. In baseball, it means to throw the ball low in the strike zone. In Kendo or Judo, it refers to keeping one's center of gravity low for stability.

腰を低く落として構えて！(Lower your hips and take your stance!)

In Music and Performance
Musicians use it to discuss pitch. A director might tell a choir to sing certain passages 'hikuku' to create a somber or grounding effect.

この部分はもっと低く歌ってください。(Please sing this part much lower.)

In residential areas, you might hear instructions regarding noise levels. 'Koe o hikuku shite' (keep your voice low) is a polite way for parents to tell children to be quiet or for neighbors to request peace. In the kitchen, recipes might instruct you to cook 'hikuku tamotta ondo de' (at a temperature maintained low). Because the word spans sensory, physical, and metaphorical domains, it is a versatile tool for any speaker. Whether you're navigating a business negotiation or simply enjoying a baseball game, 低く will likely be part of the soundtrack of your Japanese experience.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Japanese is the confusion between 低く (hikuku) and other 'low' or 'small' concepts. In English, we might use 'low' to mean 'quiet,' but in Japanese, while 'hikuku' can mean a low pitch, it doesn't always mean low volume. If you want to tell someone to speak quietly, chiisaku (smallly) or shizuka ni (quietly) is often more appropriate than 'hikuku,' unless you specifically mean they should deepen the tone of their voice. Misusing these can lead to confusion where a listener might think you are asking them to sound like a bass singer rather than just whispering.

Confusing Height with Length
Learners sometimes use 'hikuku' when they mean 'mijika-ku' (shortly). 'Hikuku' is for vertical height or scales; 'mijika-ku' is for length or duration.

❌ 髪を低く切ってください。(Cut my hair low - Incorrect usage for hair length.)

Adjective vs. Adverb Placement
Beginners often forget to change 'hikui' to 'hikuku' when modifying a verb. Saying 'hikui tobu' instead of 'hikuku tobu' is a common grammatical slip.

✅ 姿勢を低く保つ。(Maintain a low posture - Correct use of the adverbial form.)

Another mistake occurs in the context of 'low quality.' While 'hikui' can describe quality (shitsu ga hikui), using 低く to describe how something was made 'lowly' can sound unnatural unless you are specifically referring to the act of lowering the quality. Usually, to say something is of low quality, one would use 'waruku' (badly) or stick to the adjective form. Lastly, be careful with 'hikuku suru' versus 'sageru.' 'Hikuku suru' means to make something low, while 'sageru' is the specific verb for 'to lower/hang down.' While often interchangeable, 'sageru' is more common for physical objects like curtains or hands, whereas 'hikuku suru' is better for levels, pitches, and values.

While 低く (hikuku) is a versatile adverb, Japanese offers several synonyms and related terms that provide more specific nuances depending on the context. Understanding these alternatives allows a speaker to be more precise and sound more like a native. For instance, when talking about lowering something physically, the verb sageru (to lower) or its adverbial form sagete is often a more direct choice. Similarly, when discussing something that is 'slightly low' or 'on the low side,' the phrase hikume ni is frequently used to add a layer of approximation and softness to the statement.

Hikuku vs. Sagete
'Hikuku' describes the resulting state of being low. 'Sagete' focuses on the action of moving something from a higher position to a lower one. Use 'hikuku' for the target height and 'sagete' for the movement.
Hikuku vs. Chiisaku
In the context of sound, 'hikuku' refers to pitch (bass), while 'chiisaku' refers to volume (quietness). If you want someone to whisper, say 'chiisaku'; if you want them to sound like a man, say 'hikuku'.

価格を低く設定する vs. 価格を下げる (Setting a price low vs. Lowering a price.)

In more formal or technical settings, you might encounter teigen (reduction) or teika (decline). While these are nouns, they function similarly to the concept of 'becoming low.' For example, 'kion ga teika suru' is a more formal version of 'kion ga hikuku naru.' For social humility, as mentioned before, 'koshi o hikuku suru' is the set phrase. If you are describing a ceiling or a physical barrier that is low, you might use 'hikume' to suggest it is 'somewhat low' rather than definitively low. By contrasting 低く with these terms, you can navigate Japanese conversations with much greater sophistication.

Wusstest du?

The kanji for 'low' (低) contains the radical for 'person,' suggesting that height was historically measured relative to the human form or social standing.

Aussprachehilfe

UK çi.kɯ.kɯ
US çi.ku.ku
Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'hikuku', the pitch typically starts low on 'hi' and rises on 'ku', though it can vary by dialect.
Reimt sich auf
kiku (to listen) niku (meat) fuku (clothes) iku (to go) riku (land) shiku (to spread) jiku (axis) miku (future/rare)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing 'hi' as 'hi' in 'high'. It should be more like 'he' in 'heat'.
  • Rounding the lips for the 'u' sound. Japanese 'u' is unrounded.
  • Stressing one syllable over the others like in English. Japanese syllables have equal length.
  • Confusing the 'ku' sound with 'ko'.
  • Making the 'h' too aspirated.
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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

とりがひくくとんでいます。

The bird is flying low.

Simple adverb modifying the verb 'tobu'.

2

こえをひくくしてください。

Please make your voice low.

Using 'hikuku' with 'suru' (to make/do).

3

てをひくくさげます。

Lower your hand(s).

'Hikuku' used with 'sageru' for physical movement.

4

ひくくジャンプしました。

(I) jumped low.

Adverb modifying the action of jumping.

5

おんどがひくくなりました。

The temperature became low.

Change of state using 'naru'.

6

ひくくおじぎをします。

Bow low.

Describing the depth of the bow.

7

ひくくいすにすわります。

Sit on a low chair.

Note: Here 'hikuku' might modify the action of sitting, but 'hikui isu' is more common for the object.

8

ひくくはなしてください。

Please speak in a low voice.

Adverb modifying 'hanasu' (to speak).

1

飛行機が低く飛んでいます。

The airplane is flying low.

Kanji usage for 'hikuku' and 'tobu'.

2

テレビの音を低くしました。

I lowered the TV sound (pitch/volume context).

Often used for pitch, but colloquially for volume too.

3

壁を低く作りました。

We made the wall low.

Adverb modifying 'tsukuru' (to make).

4

今日は気温が低くなります。

The temperature will be low today.

Future state with 'naru'.

5

もっと低く構えてください。

Please take a lower stance.

Used in sports for posture.

6

評価を低くつけられた。

I was given a low evaluation.

Abstract evaluation using 'tsukeru'.

7

値段を低く抑える。

Keep the price low.

Economic context: 'osaeru' means to suppress/keep down.

8

雲が低く垂れ込めている。

The clouds are hanging low.

Descriptive literary use.

1

彼はいつも腰を低くして接している。

He always behaves with humility.

Idiomatic expression 'koshi o hikuku suru'.

2

予算を低く見積もりすぎた。

I estimated the budget too low.

Compound verb 'mitsumoru' with adverb.

3

新薬の副作用の確率を低くする。

Lower the probability of side effects of the new drug.

Describing statistical probability.

4

その山は低く雲に覆われていた。

That mountain was lowly covered by clouds.

Passively modified state.

5

声を低く抑えて話した。

Spoke while keeping the voice low.

Focusing on the control of the voice.

6

打球を低く打ち返す。

Hit the ball back low.

Sports specific trajectory.

7

期待値を低く設定しておく。

Set expectations low in advance.

Abstract mental state.

8

川の水位が低く保たれている。

The river's water level is being kept low.

Passive maintenance of a state.

1

金利を低く誘導する政策をとる。

Adopt a policy to guide interest rates lower.

Formal economic terminology.

2

リスクをできるだけ低く見積もるべきではない。

One should not estimate risks as low as possible.

Advisory/Cautionary context.

3

その作品は批評家から低く評価された。

That work was poorly evaluated by critics.

Passive evaluation.

4

姿勢を低く保つことが勝利の鍵だ。

Maintaining a low posture is the key to victory.

Abstracting a physical rule into a 'key' to success.

5

湿度が低く乾燥した日が続く。

Days with low humidity and dryness continue.

Natural phenomena description.

6

声を低く響かせて歌う。

Sing making the voice resonate lowly.

Describing the quality of sound resonance.

7

彼は身分を低く偽って旅をした。

He traveled by feigning a low social status.

Social status context.

8

重心を低くすることで安定感が増す。

Stability increases by lowering the center of gravity.

Scientific/Mechanical explanation.

1

政治的地位を低く置くことで、実権を握る。

By keeping a low political status, one holds the actual power.

Strategic social positioning.

2

その旋律は低く這うように流れた。

The melody flowed as if crawling lowly.

Metaphorical literary description.

3

自己評価を不当に低く見積もってはいけない。

You must not unfairly underestimate your self-worth.

Psychological context.

4

雲が山肌を低く撫でるように過ぎていく。

Clouds pass by as if stroking the mountainside lowly.

Personification in nature writing.

5

彼は声を低く潜めて、仲間に合図を送った。

He lowered his voice deeply and signaled his comrades.

Intense narrative action.

6

伝統を低く見る風潮に警鐘を鳴らす。

Sound an alarm against the trend of looking down on tradition.

Idiom 'hikuku miru' (to look down on/undervalue).

7

収益率を低く抑えざるを得ない状況だ。

It is a situation where we have no choice but to keep the profit rate low.

Advanced grammar '-zaru o enai'.

8

その音は低く、かつ重厚に響いた。

The sound resonated lowly and profoundly.

Coordinating adjectives/adverbs for tone.

1

万象を低く伏せさせるような威圧感があった。

There was an intimidating air that seemed to make all things prostrate themselves lowly.

Grandiloquent literary style.

2

歴史の深層を低く流れる通奏低音のような存在。

An existence like a basso continuo flowing lowly through the deep layers of history.

Highly metaphorical and cultural comparison.

3

知性を低く見積もることは、最大の戦略的ミスである。

Underestimating intelligence is the greatest strategic error.

Philosophical/Strategic maxim.

4

彼は生涯、身を低くして学問に捧げた。

He spent his life humbly devoting himself to scholarship.

Describing a life's philosophy (mi o hikuku shite).

5

地平線を低く配した構図が、空の広大さを強調している。

The composition with the horizon placed low emphasizes the vastness of the sky.

Artistic/Technical analysis.

6

その言説は、他者の尊厳を低くおとしめるものだ。

That discourse is something that degrades the dignity of others.

Ethical/Social critique.

7

低く唸るような風の音が、不吉な予感を孕んでいた。

The sound of the wind, like a low groan, was pregnant with an ominous foreboding.

Atmospheric narrative depth.

8

期待値を低く見積もることで、失望を回避しようとする心理。

The psychology of trying to avoid disappointment by estimating expectations low.

Complex psychological observation.

Häufige Kollokationen

低く飛ぶ
声を低くする
価格を低く設定する
腰を低くする
評価を低く見積もる
気温が低く推移する
姿勢を低く保つ
期待値を低くする
身を低くする
鼻を低くする

Häufige Phrasen

低く抑える

— To keep something (costs, noise, rates) at a low level. Often used in management or control.

出費をできるだけ低く抑える。

低く構える

— To take a low stance. Common in martial arts or sports like baseball and tennis.

バッターは低く構えて球を待った。

低く見積もる

— To underestimate or provide a low estimate for something like a price or a risk.

修理代を低く見積もってしまった。

低く響く

— To resonate in a low pitch. Describes deep sounds like thunder or a bass drum.

遠くで雷が低く響いた。

低く流れる

— To flow low. Used for mist, water, or even background music.

霧が谷底を低く流れている。

低く垂れる

— To hang down low. Usually describes clouds or branches.

柳の枝が低く垂れている。

低く評価する

— To give a low rating or undervalue someone's work or ability.

彼の功績を低く評価するのは間違いだ。

低く唸る

— To growl or groan in a low voice. Used for animals or machinery.

犬が知らない人を見て低く唸った。

低く飛来する

— To fly in at a low altitude. Technical term often used for birds or missiles.

渡り鳥が低く飛来してきた。

低く落ち着いた声

— A low, calm voice. A common description for a soothing or authoritative speaker.

彼は低く落ち着いた声で話し始めた。

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"腰を低くする"

— To be humble, modest, or polite. Literally 'to make one's hips low'.

成功しても腰を低くすることが大切だ。

Common
"身を低くする"

— To keep a low profile or literally to crouch down to avoid danger.

嵐が過ぎ去るまで身を低くしていた。

Common
"頭を低くする"

— To show humility or to apologize. Similar to bowing.

彼は過ちを認めて頭を低くした。

Neutral
"低く見る"

— To look down on someone or to underestimate them.

新人を低く見てはいけない。

Neutral
"鼻を低くする"

— To humble someone's pride (less common than 'hana o oru').

彼の高慢な鼻を低くしてやった。

Rare
"低く這う"

— To stay very close to the ground, often used for fog or runners.

霧が低く這っている。

Literary
"声を低く潜める"

— To lower one's voice to a whisper or a very deep tone to avoid being heard.

追っ手から逃れるため、声を低く潜めた。

Literary
"低く抑えたトーン"

— A subdued tone. Used for interior design or emotional states.

部屋は低く抑えたトーンで統一されている。

Neutral
"低く見積もっても"

— At the very least. Even by a low estimate.

低く見積もっても、あと三日はかかるだろう。

Common
"目線を低くする"

— To look at things from someone else's (often lower or simpler) perspective.

子供に教える時は、目線を低くすることが必要だ。

Educational/Social

Wortfamilie

Substantive

低さ (hikusa - lowness/height)
低地 (teichi - lowlands)
低下 (teika - decline/fall)
低気圧 (teikiatsu - low pressure)

Verben

下げる (sageru - to lower something)
下がる (sagaru - to go down)
低める (hikumeru - to make lower/humble)

Adjektive

低い (hikui - low)
低俗な (teizoku-na - vulgar/low-class)

Verwandt

最低 (saite - the lowest/worst)
低音 (teion - low tone/bass)
低迷 (teimei - hanging low/sluggishness)
低空 (teikū - low altitude)
低利 (teiri - low interest)
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Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Hiker' (hi) who had to 'Coo' (ku) 'Coo' (ku) to a bird flying low on the trail.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a bass guitar player (low pitch) sitting on a very short stool (low height) in a basement (low level).

Word Web

Hikui (Adjective) Hikusa (Noun) Teion (Bass) Sageru (Lowering) Koshi o hikuku (Humility) Teikiatsu (Weather) Kakaku (Price) Tobu (Fly)

Wortherkunft

The word 'hikuku' comes from the Old Japanese adjective 'piku-'. The kanji '低' depicts a person (亻) and a base or root (氐), signifying something reaching down to the base.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To be close to the ground or of little height.

Japonic
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