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Kotomora

細

dainty, get thin, taper, slender, narrow, detailed, precise

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes11

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

Explore all words using 細 →

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.