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Kotomora

妙

exquisite, strange, queer, mystery, miracle, excellent, delicate, charming

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • ミョウ
  • ビョウ

Kun'yomi

  • たえ

Meaning

妙 centers on something subtly remarkable: exquisitely delicate, mysteriously strange, or wonderfully excellent. Its meanings span from charming beauty to an almost miraculous quality that defies easy explanation.

Most common words using 妙

20 of 57
  • 微妙びみょう
    N3

    subtle; delicate; fine

  • 妙みょう
    N3

    strange; weird; odd; curious

  • 奇妙きみょう
    N3

    strange; odd; peculiar; queer; curious

  • 絶妙ぜつみょう

    exquisite; superb; perfect; miraculous

  • 巧妙こうみょう
    N1

    ingenious; skillful; clever; deft; sophisticated

  • 珍妙ちんみょう

    queer; odd; fantastic

  • 神妙しんみょう

    meek; quiet; docile; humble; faithful; obedient

  • 軽妙けいみょう

    light and easy; lambent; clever; witty; smart

  • 南無妙法蓮華経なむみょうほうれんげきょう

    Glory to the Sutra; Hail Lotus Sutra

  • 妙薬みょうやく

    wonder drug; miracle cure; elixir

  • 妙技みょうぎ

    exquisite skill; wonderful performance

  • 妙法みょうほう

    mysteries; excellent methods

  • 妙案みょうあん

    ingenious idea; excellent plan; bright idea

  • 妙齢みょうれい

    young (usu. of a woman); blooming; in the prime of youth; marriageable

  • 妙手みょうしゅ

    spectacular move (chess, shogi, etc.); brilliant move

  • 精妙せいみょう

    exquisite

  • 妙味みょうみ

    exquisiteness; charm; beauty; nice point

  • ジョジョの奇妙な冒険ジョジョのきみょうなぼうけん

    JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (manga and media franchise)

  • 即妙そくみょう

    ready wit

  • 大胆巧妙だいたんこうみょう

    bold and clever; daring and ingenious; audacious and masterly

Explore all words using 妙 →

Study

Etymology

妙 combines 女 (woman) and 少 (few/little). The historical origin is uncertain, but it likely expressed the idea of something refined, subtle, or exquisite—qualities associated with a young woman or something delicate.

Meaning mnemonic

A woman (女) with few (少) words or possessions can seem mysterious and exquisitely charming. Picture a delicate, enigmatic figure whose quiet presence feels almost miraculous.

Reading mnemonic

For ミョウ, imagine a mysterious meow coming from a hidden cat: meow -> ミョウ, and the strange, charming sound captures the kanji's sense of mystery.