短い

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: It is read みじかい. This い-adjective describes something short in length or duration.
• Basic usage: It applies both to duration, as in a short vacation, and physical length, as in short hair.
  • 短い休みだったが、久しぶりに友人とゆっくり話せた。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Length versus height
  • 短い describes short length or duration, while 低い describes low height or position.
  • A person being short in stature is commonly expressed as 背が低い.