浅い

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. プールの浅い方で泳ぎましょう。▶ —
   Let's swim in the shallow end of the pool.
2. 浅い知識では答えられない。▶ —
   I can't answer with shallow knowledge.

Collocations

Mnemonic

Asai (浅い) is the i-adjective "shallow," exact antonym of fukai. Physical and abstract. Asai kawa (shallow river), asai nemuri (light sleep), asai chishiki (shallow knowledge), keiken ga asai (lacking experience = inexperienced). The 浅 root: asase (浅瀬, shallows / shoal), asahaka (浅はか, foolish / careless, negative), sengaku (浅学, shallow learning — self-deprecating humility). Asahaka na kangae (a careless thought) regrets one's own remark / decision. Metaphor: asai tsukiai (shallow acquaintance, not close) contrasts with fukai kankei. Korean "yat-da / yeolp-da / mi-suk-ha-da / gyeong-sol-ha-da" parallels plus Japan's asahaka moral-negative layer. English shallow also covers physical and moral senses, though Korean and Japanese carry richer kanji clusters.

Quick check

1. Japanese for "it was a careless thought" (self-reflection)?

   • "Asahaka na kangae deshita" — moral self-reflection
   • "Asai kangae" — plain shallow
   • "Fukai kangae" — deep (opposite)
   • "Omoi kangae" — heavy