細
dainty, get thin, taper, slender, narrow, detailed, precise
Readings
On'yomi
- サイ
Kun'yomi
- ほそ.い
- ほそ.る
- こま.か
- こま.かい
Meaning
細 centers on thinness and fineness: something slender, narrow, or delicate, and by extension, something detailed or precise because it has been broken down into fine parts.
Most common words using 細
24 of 500- 詳細しょうさいN2
details; particulars; specifics
- 細胞さいぼうN1
cell
- 細かいこまかいN4
small
- 細いほそいN5
thin; slender; fine
- 細菌さいきんN2
bacterium; bacteria; germ
- 繊細せんさいN1
dainty; delicate (e.g. fingers); fine; slim
- 些細ささいN2
trivial; trifling; slight; insignificant
- 細かこまかN1
small; fine; detailed; stingy
- 細工さいくN1
work; workmanship; craftsmanship; handiwork
- 細部さいぶ
details; particulars
- 細やかささやかN1
small; little; tiny; insignificant; humble; modest; meagre; meager
- 明細めいさいN1
details; particulars; specifics
- 細分さいぶん
subdivision (into small parts)
- 細長いほそながいN1
long and narrow
- 微細びさい
minute; fine; detailed; subtle
- 細々ほそぼそ
poor (living)
- 細々こまごま
minutely; in detail; with particular attention
- 細心さいしん
meticulous; careful; discreet; scrupulous; prudent
- 零細れいさい
insignificant; trifling; paltry; cottage (industry); tiny (company)
- 心細いこころぼそいN2
helpless; forlorn; hopeless; unpromising; lonely; discouraging; disheartening
- 細目さいもく
particulars; details; specified items
- 細るほそる
to get thin; to taper off
- 細かくこまかく
minutely; finely
- 細かいことこまかいこと
trifles; minor details
Study
Etymology
細 combines 糸 (thread) and 田 (field), but the 田 here is likely a simplified or stylized form of a component suggesting smallness or division. The character expresses the idea of something as fine as thread.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture a thin thread 糸 being woven through a tiny field 田 of fabric, making the weave fine and detailed.
Reading mnemonic
For サイ, imagine a sigh of relief when you finally thread the needle: sigh -> サイ, and the thread is so slender and precise.