Definition
微妙 (wēimiào) describes something subtle, delicate, and hard to perceive or define — like a nuanced relationship, a faint smile, or a complex flavor. It differs from 细微 (xìwēi), which focuses on smallness or fineness of details or differences (e.g., minute changes), while 微妙 emphasizes the elusive, hard-to-articulate quality.
adjective
subtle
Examples
- 微妙，。Zhè dào cài de tiáowèi hěn wēi miào, yìbān rén cháng bù chūlái.The seasoning of this dish is very subtle; ordinary people can't taste it.
- 微妙。Liǎng guó zhī jiān de wēi miào guānxì xūyào xiǎoxīn chǔlǐ.The subtle relationship between the two countries requires careful handling.
- 微妙，。Tā liǎnshang lüèguò yì sī wēi miào de xiàoyì, hěn kuài yòu xiāoshī le.A subtle smile flickered across her face and then quickly disappeared.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.