Readings: サイ (Onyomi), ほそ-, ほそ.い, ほそ.る, こま-, こま.かい, ささ.やか (Kunyomi)
Meaning: thin, fine, slender, minute, detailed
The kanji 細 is composed of the radical 糸 (thread) and the component 田 (field, but here functions phonetically or indicates a fine division). It visually suggests the image of fine threads, symbolizing thinness, fineness, and minuteness.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 細 has 11 strokes. It starts with the糸 (ito) radical on the left, followed by the right-hand component. Pay attention to the balance and spacing of the horizontal strokes in the right part.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 糸 (いと – thread) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- サイ (Sai)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- ほそい (Hosoi)
- こまかい (Komakai)
- ほそる (Hosoru)
- ほそ- (Hoso-)
- こま- (Koma-)
- ささやか (Sasayaka)
Common Words Using 細
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 詳細 | しょうさい | detail, particulars |
| 細菌 | さいきん | bacterium, germ |
| 微細 | びさい | minute, microscopic |
| 細工 | さいく | craftsmanship, finely made article |
| 繊細 | せんさい | delicate, subtle |
| 細心 | さいしん | meticulous, careful |
| 細部 | さいぶ | detail, specific part |
| 細則 | さいそく | detailed regulations |
| 細密 | さいみつ | elaborate, minute |
| 細論 | さいろん | detailed discussion |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 細い | ほそい | thin, slender, narrow |
| 細かい | こまかい | small, fine, detailed |
| 細る | ほそる | to grow thin, to taper |
| 細道 | ほそみち | narrow path |
| 細長い | ほそながい | long and thin |
| 細切れ | こまぎれ | small pieces, finely chopped |
| 細々 | こまごま | in detail, minutely |
| 細やか | ささやか | small, modest, humble |
| 細める | ほそめる | to narrow, to make thin |
| 細目 | ほそめ | fine mesh, narrow eyes |
Example Sentences
Japanese: その道はとても細い。
Kana: そのみちはとてもほそい。
Romaji: Sono michi wa totemo hosoi.
English: That road is very narrow.
Japanese: 彼女は指が細くて美しい。
Kana: かのじょはゆびがほそくてうつくしい。
Romaji: Kanojo wa yubi ga hosokute utsukushii.
English: She has slender and beautiful fingers.
Japanese: 細かい字を読むのは大変だ。
Kana: こまかいじをよむのはたいへんだ。
Romaji: Komakai ji wo yomu no wa taihen da.
English: It’s hard to read small print.
Japanese: 彼らは細かい計画を立てた。
Kana: かれらはこまかいけいかくをたてた。
Romaji: Karera wa komakai keikaku wo tateta.
English: They made a detailed plan.
Japanese: 彼の説明は詳細だった。
Kana: かれのせつめいはしょうさいだった。
Romaji: Kare no setsumei wa shōsai datta.
English: His explanation was detailed.
Japanese: 細菌は肉眼では見えない。
Kana: さいきんはにくがんでみえない。
Romaji: Saikin wa nikugan dewa mienai.
English: Bacteria cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Japanese: この木は根元が細っている。
Kana: このきはねもとがほそっている。
Romaji: Kono ki wa nemoto ga hosotte iru.
English: The base of this tree is thinning.
Japanese: 繊細な技術が必要だ。
Kana: せんさいなぎじゅつがひつようだ。
Romaji: Sensai na gijutsu ga hitsuyou da.
English: Delicate technique is required.
Japanese: 細部にまで注意を払う。
Kana: さいぶにまでちゅういをはらう。
Romaji: Saibu ni made chūi wo harau.
English: Pay attention to every detail.
Japanese: 細雪が静かに降っていた。
Kana: ささめゆきがしずかにふっていた。
Romaji: Sasameyuki ga shizuka ni futte ita.
English: Light snow was falling quietly.
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