短所
Meaning in Englishdefect, weak point; disadvantage
Animated kanji stroke order
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Word context
What it means
What does 短所 mean? It denotes a flaw or weakness in someone or something, a point where performance or quality is lacking, often used to describe negative aspects in evaluations or constructive feedback.
Main meanings
- Primary meaning: shortcoming, flaw, defect, weakness, drawback
- Nuance: describes negative aspects without being as harsh as more severe terms; can apply to people, plans, products, or systems
- Common usages: 短所がある, 短所を挙げる, 短所として〜; often appears in evaluation contexts
How to use it
Used as a neutral to mildly critical noun in formal writings and everyday speech; collocates with verbs such as 短所がある and 短所を挙げる; common in performance reviews, feedback, and discussions of flaws or limitations
Variants and close terms
- 欠点 — defect; ketten
- 弱点 — weakness; jakuten
- 長所との対比で使われることが多い
Composition
- 短: short, concise
- 所: place, point, item
- Concept: together they denote a shortcoming or flaw— a point that is lacking or failing
Etymology
tan (tansho) are the on'yomi readings of 短 and 所; borrowed from Chinese 短所, this Sino-Japanese compound merged to mean a 'shortcoming' in Japanese.
Origin
Origin in Japanese: a Sino-Japanese compound formed from the kanji 短 and 所; used since the early modern period to denote a negative aspect or weakness of a thing, person, or plan.
Word class
Noun (名詞)