JLPT N2 · Japanese kanji

細

細 — dainty

Reading
サイ・ほそ.い・ほそ.る・こま.か・こま.かい
Meaning
dainty; get thin; taper; slender; narrow; detailed; precise
JLPT level
N2
Language
Japanese

About this kanji

細 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N2 level. Its primary reading is サイ・ほそ.い・ほそ.る・こま.か・こま.かい and it means dainty; get thin; taper; slender; narrow; detailed; precise. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.

細 appears in everyday japanese words such as 細工 (work), 細胞 (cell) and 細菌 (bacillus).

Japanese words containing 細

Frequently asked questions

What does 細 mean in Japanese?

細 means dainty; get thin; taper; slender; narrow; detailed; precise in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N2 kanji every learner meets at that level.

How is 細 read?

細 is read サイ・ほそ.い・ほそ.る・こま.か・こま.かい. Reading it inside real words — 細工 and 細胞 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.

What level is 細 — is it JLPT N2?

Yes. 細 is on the official JLPT N2 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.

How do you use 細 in a word?

A common word containing 細 is 細工 (さいく) — "work". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.

How do I learn 細 effectively?

Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 細 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.

More JLPT N2 kanji

Learn every JLPT kanji in context

InputDojo gives you the full JLPT N5–N1 kanji list — plus one-tap lookups in any real Japanese content. Free to start.

Start free