Kanji 低: lower, short, humble

Key takeaways

Kanji 低: lower, short, humble. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

低

Meaning

lowershorthumble

On reading

テイ

Kun reading

ひく.いひく.めるひく.まる

Radical

人

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 低

lower, short, humble

Kanji structure breakdown

低

Structure breakdown

亻 + 氏 + 一

Mnemonic story

A person (亻) bowing down toward the ground or the root of their clan (氏 + 一) represents the meaning of being 'low'. It also signifies lowering oneself to show a humble attitude.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

テイ

低下ていか
fall / decline / lowering
最低さいてい
least / lowest / worst

Kun reading

ひく.い

低いひくい
low / short

Commonly used words

低下
ていか
fall / decline / lowering
最低
さいてい
least / lowest / worst
低い
ひくい
low / short

Example sentences

Example 1

体力が低下してしまった。

Translation

My physical strength has declined.

Example 2

売り上げの低下が問題です。

Translation

The decline in sales is a problem.

Example 3

今日は最低の天気だ。

Translation

Today's weather is the worst.

Example 4

彼の成績はクラスで最低だった。

Translation

His grades were the lowest in the class.

Kanji 低: lower, short, humble

Kanji at a glance

Core meaning / core image

Kanji structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

Kun reading

Commonly used words

Example sentences

低下 (ていか): meaning and examples

最低 (さいてい): meaning and examples

低い (ひくい): meaning and examples