微微的 (wēi wēi de) — slightly, faintly, a little

Definition

Adjective phrase meaning 'slight, faint' — used as a vivid, often literary modifier (a faint smile, a gentle breeze), where 一点 or 一些 would be plainer 'a little'.

adjective
slightlyfaintlya little

Examples

  • 微微的，。
    Fēng wēi wēi de chuī zhe, hěn shū fu.
    The wind is blowing gently, very comfortable.
  • 微微的。
    Tā wēi wēi de xiào le yí xià.
    She smiled faintly.
  • 微微的，。
    Tiān wēi wēi de liàng de shí hou, wǒ men jiù chū fā le.
    We set off when the sky was just barely getting light.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The old form showed 𡵂 (a variant of 美, a person with long hair) and 攵 (a hand with a tool) splitting or combing hairs, hence minute; 微 later added 彳 to emphasize action.

Open 微 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The old form showed 𡵂 (a variant of 美, a person with long hair) and 攵 (a hand with a tool) splitting or combing hairs, hence minute; 微 later added 彳 to emphasize action.

Open 微 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
白白báiwhite
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo的de
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

的 pairs 白, related to white or brightness, with 勺, which gives a clue to the sound. Its older form 旳 meant bright.

Open 的 →

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