It describes a person who lacks the emotional capacity to be tolerant or forgiving.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe someone who is intolerant or petty.
- Implies a lack of generosity toward others' mistakes.
- Often used as a negative criticism of someone's character.
概要
「心が狭い」は、物事を広く受け入れる余裕がない状態を指します。相手の失敗を許せなかったり、自分と異なる価値観を認められなかったりする際に用いられるネガティブな評価です。2) 使用パターン: 通常「あの人は心が狭い」のように、主語＋が＋心が狭いという形で使われます。また、「心が狭い人」という名詞修飾の形も一般的です。3) 一般的な文脈: 友人同士の些細な喧嘩、職場で部下のミスを厳しく責める上司、あるいは意見の対立が起きた場面などでよく使われます。相手を非難するニュアンスが強いため、直接本人に言うと非常に失礼な印象を与えます。4) 類語との比較: 「器が小さい」は、能力や精神的なキャパシティが小さいというニュアンスが強く、「心が狭い」は、優しさや寛容さが欠けているというニュアンスが強いです。似ていますが、前者は人間性全体、後者は対人関係における態度に焦点が当たります。
Examples
あんな些細なミスをいつまでも責めるなんて、心が狭いよ。
everydayIt's petty of you to keep blaming someone for such a minor mistake.
個人の意見を全く受け入れない彼の態度は、心が狭いと言わざるを得ない。
formalOne must say that his attitude of not accepting individual opinions at all is narrow-minded.
自分と違う考えを許せないのは心が狭い証拠だ。
informalNot being able to tolerate ideas different from your own is proof of being narrow-minded.
他者への寛容さを欠く姿勢は、しばしば心が狭いと評される。
academicAn attitude lacking tolerance toward others is often described as narrow-minded.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
そんなことで怒るなんて心が狭い
It's petty to get angry over something like that.
心が狭いと思われたくない
I don't want to be perceived as narrow-minded.
少しは心が広いところを見せてよ
Show a little bit of generosity/broad-mindedness.
Often Confused With
Refers more to the overall capability and emotional maturity of a person. It is often used when someone fails to handle big responsibilities or pressures.
Specifically refers to someone who gets angry easily or lacks patience. While a narrow-minded person might be short-tempered, the two terms focus on different traits.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly subjective and carries a strong negative connotation. It is rarely used in polite or professional settings as it functions as a personal attack. Use it cautiously, primarily when expressing strong disapproval of someone's behavior in private.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using it as a compliment or in a neutral situation, which is impossible due to its inherently critical nature. Beginners sometimes confuse it with 'short-tempered' (tanki), but it specifically refers to intolerance rather than just anger.
Tips
Use with caution in daily conversation
This phrase is a direct criticism of character. Only use it when talking about someone behind their back or in a very heated argument.
Avoid using it toward superiors
Calling a boss or elder 'kokoro ga semai' is considered highly offensive. It will likely damage your professional relationship immediately.
Value of harmony in Japan
Japanese culture often emphasizes 'wa' (harmony). Being called 'kokoro ga semai' implies you are disrupting that harmony by being too rigid.
Word Origin
The word consists of 'kokoro' (heart/mind) and 'semai' (narrow). It is a literal metaphor for a mind that lacks the space to accommodate others' perspectives or faults.
Cultural Context
In Japanese society, where harmony and group consensus are highly valued, being labeled as 'kokoro ga semai' is a significant social stigma. It suggests an inability to adapt to the group's needs, which is often seen as a character flaw.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny, cramped room inside someone's chest where no new ideas can fit. That 'cramped heart' is exactly what 'kokoro ga semai' represents.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「心が狭い」は寛容さや優しさの欠如を指し、「器が小さい」は度量や実力の不足を指します。どちらもネガティブですが、文脈によって使い分けます。
非常に攻撃的で失礼な表現なので、本人に直接言うことは避けるべきです。対人トラブルの原因になる可能性が高いです。
「心が広い」や「度量が大きい」が反対語です。これらは人を許せる寛大な性格を褒める際に使われます。
ビジネスの場では非常に不適切です。客観的な事実を述べる際でも、もっと丁寧な表現（例：柔軟性に欠ける）を使うのが無難です。
Test Yourself
些細なことで怒るなんて、彼は本当に___。
些細なことで怒る＝寛容ではないため、心が狭いが適切です。
「心が狭い」の言い換えとして正しいものは？
どちらも寛容さや器の大きさが足りないという意味で共通しています。
（ あの人 / 心が狭い / から / 注意したほうがいい / ）
理由と結果の論理的な並び順です。
Score: /3
Summary
It describes a person who lacks the emotional capacity to be tolerant or forgiving.
- Used to describe someone who is intolerant or petty.
- Implies a lack of generosity toward others' mistakes.
- Often used as a negative criticism of someone's character.
Use with caution in daily conversation
This phrase is a direct criticism of character. Only use it when talking about someone behind their back or in a very heated argument.
Avoid using it toward superiors
Calling a boss or elder 'kokoro ga semai' is considered highly offensive. It will likely damage your professional relationship immediately.
Value of harmony in Japan
Japanese culture often emphasizes 'wa' (harmony). Being called 'kokoro ga semai' implies you are disrupting that harmony by being too rigid.
Examples
4 of 4あんな些細なミスをいつまでも責めるなんて、心が狭いよ。
It's petty of you to keep blaming someone for such a minor mistake.
個人の意見を全く受け入れない彼の態度は、心が狭いと言わざるを得ない。
One must say that his attitude of not accepting individual opinions at all is narrow-minded.
自分と違う考えを許せないのは心が狭い証拠だ。
Not being able to tolerate ideas different from your own is proof of being narrow-minded.
他者への寛容さを欠く姿勢は、しばしば心が狭いと評される。
An attitude lacking tolerance toward others is often described as narrow-minded.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
