short
N4- Onyomi
- タン
- Kunyomi
- みじか(い)
- Stroke count
- 12
- JLPT
- N4
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 短 down and you get 矢 (arrow / straight) — an arrow flying straight to its mark, and beside it 豆 (bean / vessel) — a footed vessel holding the food. Picture a bow drawn and aimed straight ahead, put 短 inside it, and let that scene stand for "short" — short. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 12
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は12画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 12 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
短縮
tanshuku
shortening
短い
mijikai
short
短いです
mijikai desu
polite: is short
短縮した
tanshukushita
plain past: did shortening
短縮する
tanshukusuru
to do shortening
短縮しない
tanshukushinai
plain negative: does not do shortening
Example sentences (2)
この鉛筆は短いです。
この えんぴつ は みじかい です。
kono enpitsu wa mijikai desu.
This pencil is short.
休みが短いので、旅行はしません。
やすみ が みじかい ので、りょこう は しません。
yasumi ga mijikai node, ryokou wa shimasen.
My holiday is short, so I will not travel.