It describes a situation where there is not enough space or room.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Used to describe limited physical space or area.
- Commonly used for rooms, roads, and vehicles.
- Can also describe a limited perspective or scope.
Overview
- 1概要：「せまい」は、空間的な余裕がないことを示す基本的な形容詞です。物理的な広さが足りないという客観的な事実だけでなく、心理的に窮屈だと感じるときにも使われます。2) 使用パターン：名詞を修飾する際には「せまい部屋」のように使い、述語としては「この部屋はせまいです」のように使います。また、副詞的に「せまく感じる」という表現も可能です。3) 一般的な文脈：日常生活では、住居（部屋、玄関）、道路（路地）、乗り物（車内、座席）などの広さを語る場面で頻繁に登場します。比喩的には「視野がせまい」「せまい人間関係」のように、範囲が限定されていることを示す場合にも用いられます。4) 類語との比較：「小さい」は物自体のサイズが小さいことを指しますが、「せまい」は空間の余白や広がりが足りないことに焦点を当てます。例えば、小さな箱は「小さい」ですが、その中で動くスペースがなければ「せまい」と言います。
Exemples
この部屋は少しせまいです。
everydayThis room is a little small.
路地がせまいため、車は通れません。
formalThe alley is narrow, so cars cannot pass.
せまいね、ここ。
informalIt's tight here, isn't it?
彼の知識は分野がせまい。
academicHis knowledge is limited in scope.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
せまい日本
Small Japan
せまい家
Small/cramped house
せまい道
Narrow road
Souvent confondu avec
Chiisai refers to the physical size of an object. Semai refers to the lack of space in a room or area.
Modèles grammaticaux
How to Use It
Notes d'usage
Use 'semai' when you want to emphasize the lack of room to move or breathe. It is a neutral adjective used in almost all levels of formality. In written formal Japanese, you might occasionally see 'kyouai' (狭隘) for very narrow spaces.
Erreurs courantes
Beginners often confuse 'semai' with 'chiisai'. Remember that a small box is 'chiisai', but a room where you cannot fit your furniture is 'semai'. Do not use it for intangible small things like 'a small amount'.
Tips
Use for space, not object size
Remember that 'semai' focuses on the room or area available. Use 'chiisai' if you are talking about the physical size of an object.
Avoid using for abstract concepts
While 'semai' can describe a limited perspective, do not use it to describe abstract quantities like 'a small amount of money'.
Japanese housing and space
In Japan, due to dense urban areas, 'semai' is a very common word used to describe apartments, reflecting the reality of limited living space.
Origine du mot
Derived from the ancient Japanese verb 'semu' (to narrow/constrict). It has been used since the Heian period to describe both physical space and psychological constraints.
Contexte culturel
In Japan, many urban apartments are famously small. The word 'semai' is frequently used in daily life to describe the reality of living in high-density Japanese cities.
Astuce mémo
Think of a 'se-ma-i' (small) room that makes you 'say my' name because you are trapped inside. It's a tight squeeze!
Questions fréquentes
4 questions「小さい」は物そのものの大きさを指しますが、「せまい」は空間の広さに注目します。例えば、部屋が物理的に小さくても、物が少なければ「せまい」とは感じないことがあります。
反対語は「ひろい（広い）」です。空間に余裕がある、面積が大きいという意味で使われます。
形容詞なので「せまいです」と言えば丁寧になります。よりフォーマルな文脈では「手狭（てぜま）な」という表現を使うこともあります。
はい、「視野がせまい」のように、考え方や知識が限定的であることを示すときにも使われます。
Teste-toi
この部屋は荷物が多くて___です。
荷物が多いと空間がなくなるため、せまいが適切です。
次のうち、正しい表現はどれですか？
道の幅については「せまい」を使います。
（せまい / この / です / 部屋 / ）
「この＋名詞＋は＋形容詞＋です」の語順が正しいです。
Score : /3
Summary
It describes a situation where there is not enough space or room.
- Used to describe limited physical space or area.
- Commonly used for rooms, roads, and vehicles.
- Can also describe a limited perspective or scope.
Use for space, not object size
Remember that 'semai' focuses on the room or area available. Use 'chiisai' if you are talking about the physical size of an object.
Avoid using for abstract concepts
While 'semai' can describe a limited perspective, do not use it to describe abstract quantities like 'a small amount of money'.
Japanese housing and space
In Japan, due to dense urban areas, 'semai' is a very common word used to describe apartments, reflecting the reality of limited living space.
Exemples
4 sur 4この部屋は少しせまいです。
This room is a little small.
路地がせまいため、車は通れません。
The alley is narrow, so cars cannot pass.
せまいね、ここ。
It's tight here, isn't it?
彼の知識は分野がせまい。
His knowledge is limited in scope.
Related Content
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Vocabulaire associé
Plus de mots sur general
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
ごろ
A2About, approximately (time).
うえ
A2At a higher position than.
絶対
B1Absolutely; definitely; never.
絶対に
B1Absolutely; definitely.
