Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

繊細 (せんさい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

繊せん細さい

せ

ん

さ

い

Common word›JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

na-adjective, noun

delicate; fine; dainty

Describes physical delicacy, fineness, or slenderness, such as fingers, features, or craftsmanship.

彼かの

女じょ

の

繊せん

細さい

な

指ゆび

先さき

が

美うつく

しい

。

Her delicate fingertips are beautiful.

この陶とう器きは繊せん細さいな模も様ようで飾かざられている。

This pottery is decorated with a fine pattern.

2

na-adjective, noun

sensitive; subtle; delicate

Refers to emotional sensitivity, subtlety of feeling, or delicate perception. Often used for people, atmospheres, or nuanced matters.

彼かれは繊せん細さいな心こころの持もち主ぬしだ。
He has a sensitive heart.
この問もん題だいは繊せん細さいな取とり扱あつかいが必ひつ要ようだ。
This issue requires delicate handling.

Usage patterns

繊せん細さいな神しん経けいsensitive temperament/nerves
彼かれは繊せん細さいな神しん経けいをしているので、きつい言こと葉ばには傷きずつきやすい。
He has a sensitive temperament, so harsh words easily hurt him.
繊せん細さいな指ゆび先さきdelicate fingertips
彼かの女じょは繊せん細さいな指ゆび先さきでレースを編あんでいく。
She knits lace with delicate fingertips.
繊せん細さいな味あじわいdelicate, subtle flavor
このスープは繊せん細さいな味あじわいで、素そ材ざいの良よさが引ひき立たっている。
繊せん細さいな心こころa sensitive, easily-affected heart
彼かれは繊せん細さいな心こころを持もっていて、他た人にんの一ひと言ことに深ふかく悩なやむことがある。
繊せん細さいな作さ業ぎょうdelicate, meticulous work
この部ぶ品ひんの組くみ立たてには繊せん細さいな作さ業ぎょうが求もとめられる。
Assembling this part requires delicate, careful work.

Kanji

繊slender, fine, thin kimono
細dainty, get thin, taper

Related words

微び妙みょうN3sense 2
微妙 stresses subtlety or a fine balance that is hard to pin down, while 繊細 stresses fineness or sensitivity of feeling or form.
デリケート sense 2
デリケート is a loanword for sensitive or delicate matters that feels more casual, while 繊細 is native Japanese vocabulary that can sound more refined or literary.
敏びん感かんN1sense 2
敏感 describes being quick to react or perceive (e.g. to stimuli or criticism), while 繊細 describes a delicate, easily-affected inner sensitivity or fineness of form.
華きゃ奢しゃ sense 1
華奢 describes a slender, fragile-looking build or object, while 繊細 more broadly covers fineness, delicacy, or subtlety in both physical things and feelings.
精せい巧こうN1sense 1
精巧 emphasizes intricate, precise craftsmanship, while 繊細 emphasizes fineness or fragility, which may or may not involve skillful making.

Opposites

鈍どん感かんN1sense 2
鈍感 means insensitive or slow to notice things, the opposite of the emotional sensitivity described by 繊細.
頑がん丈じょうN2sense 1
頑丈 describes something sturdy and robust, the opposite of the physical fineness or fragility described by 繊細.

Don't confuse with

繊せん維いN1
繊維 (fiber, thread) shares the kanji 繊 with 繊細 but is an unrelated noun meaning fiber, not a description of delicacy.

Etymology

Composed of 繊 (fine, slender) and 細 (thin, detailed). The combination conveys extreme fineness and delicacy, both physically and emotionally.

This soup has a delicate flavor that highlights the quality of the ingredients.

He has a sensitive heart and can be deeply troubled by a single remark from others.

豪ごう快かい

繊細 describes something delicate and finely sensitive, the opposite of the bold, larger-than-life impression of 豪快.

無む神しん経けいN1

繊細 describes a delicate, sensitive nature attentive to subtle feelings, contrasting with the bluntness of 無神経.