细

細

xì

田 + 纟

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

xì (adjective) thin; slender; fine

xì (adjective) detailed; meticulous

xì (adjective) soft; delicate

xì (adjective) quiet (of sound)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 囟 represents the sound. Simplified form of 細.

Semantic: 纟 Phonetic: 田

About

细 is the simplified form of 細, a phonosemantic compound. The semantic indicator 纟 (simplified from 糸) conveys silk and, by association, thinness. The phonetic element 田 is a simplification of 囟, an ancient pictograph of a baby's fontanelle used here purely for its sound. The core sense of physical slenderness and fineness extends into abstract ideas of meticulousness, detail, and precision.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

细心做事很重要。

Xìxīn zuò shì hěn zhòngyào.

Being careful in doing things is very important.

请仔细检查作业。

Qǐng zǐxì jiǎnchá zuòyè.

Please check your homework carefully.

这些细小的错误要改正。

Zhèxiē xìxiǎo de cuòwù yào gǎizhèng.

These tiny mistakes need to be corrected.

她的笔触非常细腻。

Tā de bǐchù fēicháng xìnì.

Her brush strokes are very delicate.

注意声音的细微变化。

Zhùyì shēngyīn de xìwēi biànhuà.

Pay attention to the subtle changes in sound.

河边有细长的柳枝。

Hé biān yǒu xìcháng de liǔzhī.

There are long and thin willow branches by the river.

科学家仔细研究了数据。

Kēxuéjiā zǐxì yánjiūle shùjù.

The scientist carefully studied the data.

通过细致规划，项目顺利推进。

Tōngguò xìzhì guīhuà, xiàngmù shùnlì tuījìn.

Through meticulous planning, the project progressed smoothly.

Related Characters

Component: 田

Component: 纟

Example Words