低

音読おんよみ: テイ

訓読くんよみ: ひく・ひくめる・ひくまる

画数かくすう: 7 strokes

部首ぶしゅ: 亻(にんべん)

Meaning

Low, short, humble — used for height, level, status, and modest behavior.


  • 最低さいてい — lowest, worst
  • 高低こうてい — height difference
  • 低下ていか — decline, drop
  • 低温ていおん — low temperature
  • 低速ていそく — low speed
  • 低気圧ていきあつ — low pressure

The left side 亻 (にんべん) means “person,” and the right part 氏 (テイ) gives sound. Together, they suggest a person who is near the ground — hence “low.” It can describe height, tone, status, or modesty.

For example, 低姿勢ていしせい means “humble attitude.”

気温きおんひくくなってきました。
The temperature has dropped.

かれ低姿勢ていしせい有名ゆうめいです。
He is known for his humble attitude.

The kun-yomi “ひくい” means “low” and is used for describing height or rank. The on-yomi “テイ” is common in compound words like 最低さいてい (lowest) or 低下ていか (decline).

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