JLPT N2 · Japanese kanji
短 — short
- Reading
- タン・みじか.い
- Meaning
- short; brevity; fault; defect; weak point
- JLPT level
- N2
- Language
- Japanese
About this kanji
短 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N2 level. Its primary reading is タン・みじか.い and it means short; brevity; fault; defect; weak point. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
短 appears in everyday japanese words such as 短大 (junior college), 短歌 (tanka) and 短気 (quick temper).
Japanese words containing 短
Frequently asked questions
What does 短 mean in Japanese?
短 means short; brevity; fault; defect; weak point in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N2 kanji every learner meets at that level.
How is 短 read?
短 is read タン・みじか.い. Reading it inside real words — 短大 and 短歌 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 短 — is it JLPT N2?
Yes. 短 is on the official JLPT N2 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 短 in a word?
A common word containing 短 is 短大 (たんだい) — "junior college". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 短 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 短 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Learn every JLPT kanji in context
InputDojo gives you the full JLPT N5–N1 kanji list — plus one-tap lookups in any real Japanese content. Free to start.
Start free