Definitions

(adjective) thin; slender; fine
(adjective) detailed; meticulous
(adjective) soft; delicate
(adjective) quiet (of sound)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "细", in its traditional form "細", structurally combines the silk radical "糸" with the component "田", which historically functions as a phonetic and semantic element derived from "囟" to convey the concept of fineness. Etymologically, it initially denoted the quality of fine silk threads, but its semantic application gradually broadened to describe physical thinness, minute dimensions, and exhaustive detail. The simplified form "细" maintains the right-hand "田" while adapting the left radical to "纟", and the character's meaning expanded from tangible slender objects to include abstract qualities of precision and insignificance.

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

心做事很重要。

Xìxīn zuò shì hěn zhòngyào.

Being careful in doing things is very important.

请仔检查作业。

Qǐng zǐxì jiǎnchá zuòyè.

Please check your homework carefully.

这些小的错误要改正。

Zhèxiē xìxiǎo de cuòwù yào gǎizhèng.

These tiny mistakes need to be corrected.

她的笔触非常腻。

Tā de bǐchù fēicháng xìnì.

Her brush strokes are very delicate.

注意声音的微变化。

Zhùyì shēngyīn de xìwēi biànhuà.

Pay attention to the subtle changes in sound.

河边有长的柳枝。

Hé biān yǒu xìcháng de liǔzhī.

There are long and thin willow branches by the river.

科学家仔研究了数据。

Kēxuéjiā zǐxì yánjiūle shùjù.

The scientist carefully studied the data.

通过致规划,项目顺利推进。

Tōngguò xìzhì guīhuà, xiàngmù shùnlì tuījìn.

Through meticulous planning, the project progressed smoothly.