心(こころ)が狭(せま)い

こころがせまい
expression
narrow-minded; petty; intolerant
1. narrow-minded; petty; intolerant
Lacking generosity of spirit; unable to accept different opinions or forgive minor faults.
あの人(ひと)は心(こころ)が狭(せま)い。
That person is narrow-minded.
そんな小(ちい)さなことで怒(おこ)るなんて、心(こころ)が狭(せま)いよ。
Getting angry over such a small thing — you're being petty.
自分(じぶん)とは違(ちが)う意見(いけん)を受(う)け入(い)れられないのは、心(こころ)が狭(せま)い証拠(しょうこ)だと思(おも)う。
I think being unable to accept opinions different from your own is a sign of narrow-mindedness.

Literally "the heart is narrow." This expression describes someone who is petty, intolerant, or lacks generosity of spirit. It is a direct criticism of character and is considered fairly blunt.

The expression is the antonym of 心(こころ)が広(ひろ)い (broad-minded, generous). Japanese has many idiomatic expressions using 心(こころ) to describe personality traits.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 心(こころ)が狭(せま)い人(ひと): a petty person
  • 心(こころ)の狭(せま)さ: narrow-mindedness (nominalized form)

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • 心(こころ)が広(ひろ)い: broad-minded, generous — the direct antonym
  • 器(うつわ)が小(ちい)さい: small-hearted, petty — similar meaning, emphasizes limited capacity as a person
  • 寛大(かんだい): tolerant, magnanimous — formal antonym describing generosity of spirit
  • 狭量(きょうりょう): narrow-minded — formal, written equivalent
general
Added 2026.4.26 21:32
25500/25593_kokorogasemai