Usage note
窄的意思是空间很小，不宽，比如小路或门口。
Zhǎi de yìsi shì kōngjiān hěn xiǎo, bù kuān, bǐrú xiǎo lù huò ménkǒu.
Narrow means the space is very small, not wide, like a small path or doorway.
Context note
在窄的地方走路要小心，不要挤到别人。
Zài zhǎi de dìfang zǒulù yào xiǎoxīn, bùyào jǐ dào biérén.
When walking in a narrow place, be careful not to bump into others.
5 examples
这条小路很窄，只能一个人通过。
zhè tiáo xiǎo lù hěn zhǎi， zhǐ néng yí gè rén tōng guò。
This path is very narrow, only one person can pass.
门太窄了，大箱子搬不进去。
mén tài zhǎi le， dà xiāng zǐ bān bú jìn qù。
The door is too narrow, the big box can't be moved in.
教室里的过道很窄，要慢慢走。
jiào shì lǐ de guò dào hěn zhǎi， yào màn màn zǒu。
The aisle in the classroom is narrow, walk slowly.
这条河很窄，我们可以跳过去。
zhè tiáo hé hěn zhǎi， wǒ men kě yǐ tiào guò qù。
This river is narrow, we can jump across it.
我的床很窄，只能睡一个人。
wǒ de chuáng hěn zhǎi， zhǐ néng shuì yí gè rén。
My bed is narrow, only one person can sleep on it.
5 mini stories
小丽和妈妈走在一条窄窄的小巷里。她们手拉手，小心地慢慢走。
xiǎo lì hé mā mā zǒu zài yì tiáo zhǎi zhǎi de xiǎo xiàng lǐ。 tā men shǒu lā shǒu， xiǎo xīn dì màn màn zǒu。
Xiaoli and her mom walked in a narrow alley. They held hands and walked slowly and carefully.
教室的门很窄，小明搬椅子时差点卡住。他侧着身子才进去。
jiào shì de mén hěn zhǎi， xiǎo míng bān yǐ zi shí chā diǎn kǎ zhù。 tā cè zhe shēn zi cái jìn qù。
The classroom door was narrow, and Xiaoming almost got stuck when moving a chair. He went in sideways.
公园里有一条窄窄的小桥。小华勇敢地走过去，妈妈在后面鼓励他。
gōng yuán lǐ yǒu yì tiáo zhǎi zhǎi de xiǎo qiáo。 xiǎo huá yǒng gǎn dì zǒu guò qù， mā ma zài hòu miàn gǔ lì tā。
There was a narrow little bridge in the park. Xiaohua bravely walked across it, and his mom encouraged him from behind.
小刚的铅笔盒很窄，只能放几支笔。他决定换一个大一点的。
xiǎo gāng de qiān bǐ hé hěn zhǎi， zhǐ néng fàng jǐ zhī bǐ。 tā jué dìng huàn yí gè dà yì diǎn de。
Xiaogang's pencil case was narrow and could only hold a few pens. He decided to get a bigger one.
两个小朋友在窄窄的滑梯上排队。他们一个接一个滑下去，玩得很开心。
liǎng gè xiǎo péng yǒu zài zhǎi zhǎi de huá tī shàng pái duì。 tā men yí gè jiē yí gè huá xià qù， wán dé hěn kāi xīn。
Two children lined up on the narrow slide. They slid down one by one and had a lot of fun.
Mini dialogue
小心过道
A
这里能过去吗？
Zhèlǐ néng guòqù ma?
Can we get through here?
B
路很窄，要小心。
Lù hěn zhǎi, yào xiǎoxīn.
The path is narrow, be careful.
试穿裤子
A
这条裤子合适吗？
Zhè tiáo kùzi héshì ma?
Do these pants fit?
B
有点窄，换大一号吧。
Yǒudiǎn zhǎi, huàn dà yī hào ba.
A bit tight, try a larger size.
Related words and contrasts
opposite
宽
kuān
wide
Opposite of narrow
similar
狭窄
xiá zhǎi
narrow and small
Similar meaning, often used for spaces
related
紧
jǐn
tight
Related when describing tight fit