手狭(てぜま)になる

てぜまになる
expression
to become cramped; to become too small
size
1. to become cramped; to become too small
For a space or place to become insufficient in size due to growth, accumulation, or changing needs.
部屋(へや)が手狭(てぜま)になった。
The room has become too small.
家族(かぞく)が増(ふ)えて家(いえ)が手狭(てぜま)になった。
The family grew and the house became cramped.
事業(じぎょう)が拡大(かくだい)して今(いま)のオフィスが手狭(てぜま)になったので、引(ひ)っ越(こ)しを検討(けんとう)している。
The business expanded and the current office became too small, so we're considering moving.

手狭(てぜま) literally means 'narrow at hand' and describes a space that feels too small for its purpose. The na-adjective 手狭(てぜま) is most commonly used with になる to describe a space becoming insufficient. Often triggers a decision to move or expand.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 狭(せま)い: narrow, small — a general adjective for physical smallness, while 手狭(てぜま) specifically implies that the space has become insufficient for one's needs
  • 窮屈(きゅうくつ): cramped, tight — can describe both physical spaces and figurative constraint (like restrictive rules), while 手狭(てぜま) is only about physical space being too small

Related Words

Compare: 狭(せま)い (narrow, small)
Compare: 窮屈(きゅうくつ) (cramped, tight)
general
Added 2026.4.7 9:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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