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細

細 — dainty, get thin, taper

Learn the correct stroke order for 細 (dainty), a 11-stroke kanji.

JLPT N2Grade 211 strokes

Stroke Order

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Stroke 0 / 11
On'yomi (音読み)サイsai
Kun'yomi (訓読み)ほそ.いhosoi、ほそ.るhosoru、こま.かkomaka、こま.かいkomakai
Strokes11
Radical糸
Frequency#537
Meaningsdainty, get thin, taper, slender, narrow, detailed, precise

Step-by-Step Diagram

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Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 11 — start from the green dot

Common Words

細いほそいthin; slender; finei-adjective
細かこまかsmall; fine; detailedna-adjective
細るほそるto get thin; to taper offverb
細菌さいきんbacterium; bacteria; germnoun
細工さいくwork; workmanship; craftsmanshipnoun
細心さいしんmeticulous; careful; discreetna-adjective

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 細 (dainty) is taught in grade 2 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N2 level. It has 11 strokes with radical 糸.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 細 is #537, making it a frequently used kanji.

Example Words in Context

細いほそい — thin; slender; fine
細かこまか — small; fine; detailed
細るほそる — to get thin; to taper off

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (糸)

糸thread系lineage約promise紀chronicle級class紅crimson糾twist紙paper

Same reading

再again採pick祭ritual菜vegetable

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 細 have?

The kanji 細 (dainty) has 11 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 細?

細 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 細 mean?

細 means: dainty, get thin, taper, slender, narrow, detailed, precise. On'yomi readings: サイ. Kun'yomi readings: ほそ.い, ほそ.る, こま.か, こま.かい.

What JLPT level is 細?

細 is a JLPT N2 kanji. This is an advanced kanji.