Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

What is the Kanji for 'Slight' and 'Delicate'? | 微

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Slight' and 'Delicate', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Slight' and 'Delicate' is 微.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Slight, Delicate

    Reading

    kunyomiかす

    kasu

    onyomi

    bi

    Parts

    Stop

    Example Word

    微笑: smile. The Japanese noun '微笑 (びしょう)' refers to a 'smile', particularly a gentle or faint smile. It is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a subtle, soft, or serene expression. For example: Her smile was gentle「彼女の微笑は優しかった」(かのじょのびしょうはやさしかった). The painting captured a faint smile「その絵はかすかな微笑をとらえていた」(そのえはかすかなびしょうをとらえていた). This word carries a nuance of quiet beauty and is less commonly used in casual conversation compared to '笑顔 (えがお)', which is a more general term for a smile.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    13

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    7

    Frequency

    619

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 1 part:

    radical

    Meaning

    Stop

Words Using

This kanji is used in 4 words:

    word

    微妙

    Meaning

    Subtle, Doubtful

    word

    微笑む

    Meaning

    Smile

    word

    微か

    Meaning

    Faint

    word

    微笑

    Meaning

    Smile

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 19 kanji contain the part 彳 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    After, Behind

    kanji

    Meaning

    Go

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wait

    kanji

    Meaning

    Duty

    kanji

    Meaning

    Follower, Junior

    kanji

    Meaning

    Law, Rhythm

    kanji

    Meaning

    Follow, Obey

    kanji

    Meaning

    Journey, Go on

    kanji

    Meaning

    Restore

    kanji

    Meaning

    Acquire

    kanji

    Meaning

    Virtue

    kanji

    Meaning

    Honorable, General honorific term

    kanji

    Meaning

    Third person pronoun, He

    kanji

    Meaning

    Levy, Symptom

    kanji

    Meaning

    Penetrate, Go through

    kanji

    Meaning

    Slowly, Gradually

    kanji

    Meaning

    Path, Diameter

    kanji

    Meaning

    Subjugate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Circulate, Sequential

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 微 mean?

微 means 'Slight' and 'Delicate'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.