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thin, fine

JLPT N2 Grade 2 11 strokes
Kun'yomi
ほそ・こま
On'yomi
サイ
Radical
· thread (thread, silk)

細 means "thin, fine". It is a JLPT N2 kanji written in 11 strokes. It is read ほそ・こま in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and サイ in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 2.

Example word

ほそ

thin

細 in example sentences

  • わたしこまかいんだ。

    Watashi wa komakain da.

    I'm fussy.

  • すここころぼそかった。

    Sukoshi kokorobosokatta.

    I felt a bit lonely.

  • あのおんなぶさいくだ。

    Ano onna wa busaiku da.

    She's a dog.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, licensed CC-BY 2.0 FR.

Stroke order & writing

Want more? Practice writing from memory. Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

Words that use 細

More (thread) kanji

Common questions

What does the kanji 細 mean?
細 means "thin, fine". It is a JLPT N2 kanji.
How many strokes does 細 have?
細 is written in 11 strokes.
How is 細 read?
It is read ほそ・こま in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and サイ in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 細?
細 is a JLPT N2 kanji.