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