仔し細さいありげ

Meanings

seeming to have a reason; looking like there's more to it

Describes a person, expression, or situation that appears to have some hidden reason or special circumstances behind it. Often used when someone seems to be acting with an undisclosed motive.

彼かれの仔し細さいありげな笑えみが気きになった。
His smile, which seemed to suggest there was more to it, bothered me.
彼かの女じょは仔し細さいありげにうなずいた。
She nodded as if she knew something more.

Kanji

子child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM
細dainty, get thin, taper
仔offspring (animal), detailed, fine

Related words

仔し細さい
仔細 is a noun meaning 'reason' or 'circumstances'; 仔細ありげ adds the suffix ありげ ('seeming to have') to describe an appearance of having such reasons.
ありげ
ありげ is a suffix meaning 'seeming to have' or 'appearing to be'; it attaches to nouns to form adjectival nouns indicating an appearance of possessing that quality.

Written forms

仔し細さいありげ
Standard kanji spelling; 仔細 is the more common form in modern usage.
子し細さいありげ
Alternate kanji spelling; 子細 is also used but less common than 仔細.

Etymology

Compound of 仔細 (shisai, 'reason; circumstances') + ありげ (arige, 'seeming to have'). The suffix ありげ derives from classical あり (ari, 'to be') + げ (ge, 'appearance').