Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to a person of short stature requires sensitivity. The direct translation '小人' (kobito) is often considered derogatory. This guide provides respectful and natural alternatives depending on context.
To refer to a person who is very short, without being offensive.
Literally 'small-built person'. This is the safest and most common way to describe someone of short stature politely.
小柄な人が前に立つと見えません。
When a short person stands in front, I can't see.
Means 'a person who is short in stature'. Neutral and descriptive.
背が低い人でもバスケットボールができます。
Even a short person can play basketball.
Slang for 'shorty' or 'runt'. Can be affectionate among close friends but is often derogatory. Use with extreme caution.
Highly context-dependent; can be insulting. Avoid unless you are very familiar with the person and the social dynamics.
おい、チビ、何してるんだ？
Hey, shorty, what are you doing?
To refer to the medical condition of dwarfism.
Medical term for dwarfism. Use in clinical or formal contexts.
小人症の治療法について研究が進んでいます。
Research on treatments for dwarfism is progressing.
Another medical term meaning 'short stature disorder'. Less common than 小人症.
低身長症の子供たちのためのサポートグループがあります。
There is a support group for children with short stature disorders.
To refer to a dwarf as a mythical creature (e.g., in fairy tales or fantasy).
Used for dwarves in folklore and fantasy. Not offensive in this context.
白雪姫は七人の小人と暮らしました。
Snow White lived with the seven dwarfs.
Loanword from English 'dwarf', often used in fantasy contexts (e.g., RPGs).
To describe a miniature or very small version of an object or animal.
Loanword meaning 'miniature'. Used for small-scale models or tiny versions.
ミニチュアの車を集めています。
I collect miniature cars.
Prefix meaning 'mini' or 'dwarf' for plants or animals, e.g., 豆柴 (mameshiba, miniature Shiba Inu).
The word '小人' (kobito) can be highly offensive when referring to people with dwarfism. It is often used in fairy tales for dwarves or mythical beings, but in modern contexts it is a slur. Use alternatives like '小柄な人' (kogara na hito) or medical terms when appropriate.
彼は小柄な人です。
He is a person of short stature.
To describe someone as short without offense, use '背が低い' (se ga hikui) or '小柄な' (kogara na). These are neutral descriptors of height and build.
小人プロレスは議論を呼んでいます。
Midget wrestling is controversial.
Uses '小人' (kobito) as it is a proper name for the event, but note the term can be offensive.
そのゲームではドワーフの戦士を選べます。
In that game, you can choose a dwarf warrior.
A mameshiba is smaller than a regular Shiba Inu.