狭(せま)い

せまい
adjective (i-adjective)
narrow, cramped
1. narrow, cramped, small (space)
Describes something with limited space or area. The opposite of 広(ひろ)い (wide, spacious). Used for rooms, roads, areas, etc.
この部屋(へや)は狭(せま)いです。
This room is small/cramped.
狭(せま)い道(みち)に入(はい)らないでください。
Please don't enter the narrow road.
ここは狭(せま)くて動(うご)けない。
It's so cramped here I can't move.
この部屋(へや)は狭(せま)いですが、一(ひと)人(り)で住(す)むには十分(じゅうぶん)です。
This room is small, but it's enough for living alone.
日本(にほん)のアパートは狭(せま)いと言(い)われていますが、工夫(くふう)すれば快適(かいてき)に暮(く)らせます。収納(しゅうのう)を上手(じょうず)に使(つか)うのが大切(たいせつ)です。
Japanese apartments are said to be small, but with some ingenuity you can live comfortably. It's important to use storage space well.

狭(せま)い is an i-adjective describing limited space or area.

FORMS:

  • Adverbial: 狭(せま)く (narrowly)
  • Noun form: 狭(せま)さ (narrowness)
  • Te-form: 狭(せま)くて

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

METAPHORICAL USE:

OPPOSITE:
広(ひろ)い (wide, spacious)

CULTURAL NOTE:
Japanese apartments are often described as 狭(せま)い, reflecting typical urban housing constraints.

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Added 2026.1.7 21:16 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:27
00500/00750_semai