Readings: テイ (Onyomi), ひく.い, ひく.める, ひく.まる (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Low, short, humble
形声文字 (Keisei Moji). Combines the radical 人 (person) with 氐 (di), which indicates the sound and originally meant “base” or “foundation.” Together, it implies being in a low position.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 低 has 7 strokes. It begins with the human radical (亻) on the left, followed by the component 氐 on the right. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for proper formation.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 亻 (にんべん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- テイ (Tei)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- ひくい (hikui)
- ひくめる (hikumeru)
- ひくまる (hikumaru)
Common Words Using 低
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 低気圧 | ていきあつ | low atmospheric pressure |
| 低下 | ていか | decline, fall, decrease |
| 低速 | ていそく | low speed |
| 低学年 | ていがくねん | lower grades (of elementary school) |
| 低音 | ていおん | low sound, bass |
| 低級 | ていきゅう | low grade, inferior |
| 低姿勢 | ていしせい | low posture, humble attitude |
| 低所得 | ていしょとく | low income |
| 低減 | ていげん | reduction, decrease |
| 低水準 | ていすいじゅん | low level |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 低い | ひくい | low, short (height), humble (voice) |
| 背が低い | せがひくい | short (person) |
| 声が低い | こえがひくい | low voice |
| 低める | ひくめる | to lower, to humble |
| 低まる | ひくまる | to become lower, to humble oneself |
| 腰が低い | こしがひくい | humble, modest |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 低気圧が接近しています。
Kana: ていきあつがせっきんしています。
Romaji: Teikiatsu ga sekkin shiteimasu.
English: A low pressure system is approaching.
Japanese: 物価が低下した。
Kana: ぶっかがていかした。
Romaji: Bukka ga teika shita.
English: Prices decreased.
Japanese: 彼は背が低い。
Kana: かれはせがひくい。
Romaji: Kare wa se ga hikui.
English: He is short.
Japanese: 声を低めて話す。
Kana: こえをひくめてはなす。
Romaji: Koe o hikumete hanasu.
English: To lower one’s voice and speak.
Japanese: 気温が低くなった。
Kana: きおんがひくくなった。
Romaji: Kion ga hikuku natta.
English: The temperature became low.
Japanese: 飛行機が低空飛行で飛んだ。
Kana: ひこうきがていくうひこうでとんだ。
Romaji: Hikōki ga teikū hikō de tonda.
English: The airplane flew at a low altitude.
Japanese: 低血糖の状態だ。
Kana: ていけっとうのじょうたいだ。
Romaji: Teikettō no jōtai da.
English: It’s a state of low blood sugar.
Japanese: 低姿勢でお願いする。
Kana: ていしせいで おねがいする。
Romaji: Teishisei de onegai suru.
English: To humbly ask.
Japanese: この商品の価格は他社より低い。
Kana: このしょうひんのかかくはたしゃよりひくい。
Romaji: Kono shōhin no kakaku wa tasha yori hikui.
English: The price of this product is lower than other companies’.
Japanese: 彼はどんな時も腰が低い。
Kana: かれはどんなときもこしがひくい。
Romaji: Kare wa donna toki mo koshi ga hikui.
English: He is always humble.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.