Explore 低 in words about height, temperature and change. Learn each reading with the whole word.

The idea

低 has 7 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 低い is read ひくい, while 低下 is ていか and 最低 is さいてい. 低く is the adverbial form of 低い.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
低いひくいThis table is low.
低下ていかThe number of customers has decreased.
最低さいていThe minimum temperature tomorrow will be five degrees.
低めひくめI set the chair a little lower.

Examples

  • 机つくえは低ひくいです。This table is low.
  • 今日きょうは気温きおんが低ひくいです。The temperature is low today.
  • 声こえを低ひくくしてください。Please lower your voice.
  • 客きゃくの数かずが低下ていかしました。The number of customers has decreased.
  • 明日あしたの最低さいてい気温きおんは五度ごどです。The minimum temperature tomorrow will be five degrees.
  • 椅子いすを低ひくめに調節ちょうせつしました。I set the chair a little lower.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

低い can describe a low voice or temperature as well as height. 低下 describes a decrease; 最低 means lowest or minimum, depending on context.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 低い in hiragana.

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    ひくい

    低い is ひくい: the table is low. Learn the reading with the adjective.

  2. Write the reading of 低下 in hiragana.

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    ていか

    低下 is ていか: the number of customers decreased. The compound uses てい.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 最＿（さいてい）［低／高］.

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    低

    低 completes 最低（さいてい）, meaning minimum here, as in the minimum temperature.

Use it today

Write 低 following the stroke diagram. Cover the table, read 低い and 低下, then make a sentence with one of them.