最短(さいたん)

さいたん
noun, no-adjective
shortest, minimum
quantity
1. shortest, minimum (in distance, time, or length)
The superlative of short — the least in distance, duration, or length among a group. Commonly used for routes, time periods, and records.
最短(さいたん)ルートで行(い)く。
To go by the shortest route.
最短(さいたん)で三日(みっか)かかります。
It will take three days at the minimum.
目的地(もくてきち)までの最短(さいたん)距離(きょり)をナビで調(しら)べてから出発(しゅっぱつ)した。
I checked the shortest distance to the destination on the GPS before leaving.

Usage

最短(さいたん) functions as a noun or の-adjective. It applies to distance, time, and length.

  • Distance: 最短(さいたん)ルート (shortest route), 最短(さいたん)距離(きょり) (shortest distance)
  • Time: 最短(さいたん)で〜 (at the earliest / minimum time)
  • Records: 最短(さいたん)記録(きろく) (shortest record)

When used adverbially with で, it means "at the earliest" or "at a minimum" in terms of time.

Common collocations

  • 最短(さいたん)距離(きょり): shortest distance
  • 最短(さいたん)ルート: shortest route
  • 最短(さいたん)記録(きろく): shortest record
  • 最短(さいたん)で: at the earliest, at minimum

Related Words

Antonym: 最長(さいちょう)
general
Added 2026.2.23 19:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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