矮

ǎi

adjective HSK 4 #3,407

Meanings

Combines 矢 (arrow) with 女 (woman) and 禾 (grain) — the idea of a bent, low posture.

Tā bǐ wǒ ǎi yīdiǎn.

He's a bit shorter than me.

Zhè kē shù hěn ǎi.

This tree is very short.

Ǎi de nàge rén shì wǒ dìdi.

The short one is my younger brother.

usage

矮 is used for people and objects (height). For 'low' in abstract senses like temperature or price, use 低 (dī).

memory

The character contains 矢 (arrow) and 委 — think of an arrow falling short of its target.

矮 ǎi