狭窄 (xiá zhǎi) is an adjective meaning 'narrow' or 'constricted', describing physical spaces that are limited in width or breadth — such as streets, passages, rooms, or even metaphorical contexts like limited options or restricted perspectives. The character 狭 emphasizes narrowness in a relative or comparative sense (e.g., narrower than expected), while 窄 stresses tightness or insufficiency of space; together they reinforce each other, forming a common disyllabic adjective with stronger emphasis than either character alone.

This word is frequently used to describe urban environments (e.g., alleyways, old houses), natural features (e.g., mountain passes, river gorges), and abstract situations (e.g., narrow-minded thinking). It carries a neutral-to-slightly negative connotation — implying inconvenience, limitation, or lack of openness — but isn’t inherently pejorative. Unlike monosyllabic adjectives like 窄 or 狭 used alone in literary or formal contexts, 狭窄 is the standard, colloquial, and preferred form in modern spoken and written Mandarin.