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纤细 (xiān xì) — (of physical things) slender, fine, delicate; (figurative) tenuous, slight

Definition

Means 'slender, fine' — typically for physical things like fingers, threads, or branches (literally thin and delicate). Figuratively it describes relationships or connections as 'tenuous, slight'.

adjective
(of physical things) slenderfinedelicate(figurative) tenuousslight

Examples

  • 纤细，。
    Tā de shǒu zhǐ shí fēn xiān xì, jiù xiàng gāng qín jiā yí yàng.
    Her fingers are very slender, just like a pianist's.
  • 纤细，。
    Zhè gēn xiàn tài xiān xì, shāo wēi yì lā jiù duàn le.
    This thread is too fine; it breaks with just a slight pull.
  • 纤细，。
    Tā men zhī jiān de guān lián biàn de shí fēn xiān xì, jī hū wú fǎ chá jué.
    The connection between them has become very tenuous, almost imperceptible.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

纤xiānfine
细xìthin

“纤” and “细” both convey thinness, together meaning very slender.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 纖; 纤 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
韱
韱xiān纖qiàn
Same sound today

The traditional form 纖 uses 糸 for silk and 韱 for the sound; the simplified 纤 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical components.

Open 纤 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 細; 细 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
囟
囟xìn細xì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 細 pairs 糸, silk or thread, with 囟 for the sound. The simplified 细 is a later shorthand, and the old right part changed shape.

Open 细 →
Appears in
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