HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #5129, Medium
细
xì
finely particulate
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #5129, Medium
细
xì
thin and soft
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #5129, Medium
细
xì
fine
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #5129, Medium
细
xì
delicate
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #5129, Medium
细
xì
trifling
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #5129, Medium
细
xì
(of a sound) quiet
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #5129, Medium
细
xì
frugal
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #5129, Medium
细
xì
fine, detailed; slender, thin
HSK 4, a, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #5129, Medium
xì(xi4) T4
1thin or slender
2finely particulate
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March 24, 2026
细(細)xì(xi4)
The character 细 (xì) primarily means 'thin' or 'slender,' often used to describe physical characteristics or textures. It can also refer to something that is fine or detailed, such as finely particulate substances or delicate items. In certain contexts, it can imply frugality or triviality.
Strokes8Radical纟Frequency#5129DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of细 (fine or delicate) is often associated with traditional craftsmanship, such as fine silk production, which is highly valued. This reflects the cultural appreciation for detail and quality in art and everyday objects.
Memory Tip
Imagine a thin thread that is so fine it can barely be seen. The character 细 has a 'silk' radical (丝) at the top, suggesting delicacy, while the bottom part (七) resembles a narrow line. Visualize this fine thread being carefully handled to remember that 细 means thin or fine.
Meanings of 细
xì(xi4)
1thin or slender
2finely particulate
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 细
细Simplified
細Traditional
8Strokes
纟Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5129Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 细
Podcast: 细
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AI Study Notes for 细
Quick Contrast
细 (xì) vs 精 (jīng) — use 细 for descriptions of thinness or fineness in texture, while 精 refers to precision or refinement in quality.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a thin thread that is so fine it can barely be seen. The character 细 has a 'silk' radical (丝) at the top, suggesting delicacy, while the bottom part (七) resembles a narrow line. Visualize this fine thread being carefully handled to remember that 细 means thin or fine.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 细 is often used in descriptive contexts, so pairing it with nouns is common, such as 细节 (details) or 细胞 (cells). A common mistake is to confuse it with the character 粗 (cū), which means 'thick.' Remember that 细 is more about finesse and delicacy.
HSK Study Tips
While 细 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is relevant for learners around HSK 3-4, as it connects with adjectives describing size and quality. Students should focus on its use in conjunction with other characters, particularly in descriptive phrases.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of细 (fine or delicate) is often associated with traditional craftsmanship, such as fine silk production, which is highly valued. This reflects the cultural appreciation for detail and quality in art and everyday objects.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 细 to describe something that is large or bulky, as in saying '这个房子很细' (This house is very thin), which should be corrected to '这个房子很大' (This house is very big). Another mistake is using it inappropriately with non-physical attributes, like calling a loud noise 细 (thin), which is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 细
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Grammar Patterns of 细
细 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In Chinese culture, the concept of细 (fine or delicate) is often associated with traditional craftsmanship, such as fine silk production, which is highly valued. This reflects the cultural appreciation for detail and quality in art and everyday objects.
📜Proverb
‘细水长流’这个成语比喻细小的力量也可以持久而发生大的影响。
Word Family of 细
Words Containing This Character20
细胞xìbāocell (biology)細胞
仔细zǐxìcareful仔細
细节xìjiédetails細節
详细xiángxìdetailed詳細
细xìfine細
细菌xìjūngerm細菌
细致xìzhìdelicate細緻
细心xìxīncareful細心
细腻xìnìexquisite細膩
干细胞stem cell幹細胞
细则bylaws細則
细微xìwēitiny細微
精细jīngxìfine精細
白细胞leukocyte白細胞
细小tiny細小
红细胞erythrocyte紅細胞
癌细胞cancer cell癌細胞
淋巴细胞lymphocyte淋巴細胞
底细inside information底細
细分subdivision細分
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 细胞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 细
Yes, 细 is commonly used in phrases like '细心' (xìxīn), which means careful or attentive. Another example is '细致' (xìzhì), meaning meticulous or detailed. These phrases highlight the character's connotations of delicacy and attention to detail.
Some synonyms for 细 include '瘦' (shòu), which emphasizes thinness, and '精细' (jīngxì), which focuses on fineness or precision. Depending on the context, you might choose different words to convey specific nuances.
细 (xì) means thin or slender. It can also refer to something finely particulate, delicate, or trifling. This character is often used to describe physical attributes as well as nuanced qualities.
You can use 细 to describe something that is thin or delicate. For example, you might say '这条裙子很细' (Zhè tiáo qúnzi hěn xì), which means 'This dress is very thin.' It can also be used in contexts like '细节' (xìjié), meaning 'details.'
细 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often appears in more descriptive or technical discussions.
Common phrases include 细节 (details) and 细心 (careful or attentive), which highlight its descriptive nature.
While 细 typically describes physical attributes or objects, it can also be used metaphorically, such as in 细腻 (delicate or subtle) to describe emotions.
