纖 (xiān) - fine, delicate, slender & minute, tiny

纖Tone 1

xiān ｜ 23 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

纖 · xiān

fine, delicate, slender;

minute, tiny;

detailed, intricate

fine, delicate, slenderminute, tinydetailed, intricate

Usage highlights

slender and delicatefine and softminute detailsfiber opticscellulosefine craftsmanship

Synonyms

  • 細— thin, fine, delicate
  • 微— tiny, minute, subtle
  • 精— refined, exquisite, precise

Antonyms

  • 粗— coarse, thick, rough
  • 巨— huge, gigantic, enormous
  • 大— big, large, great

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The fabric is very fine and delicate (纖細的布料).
  • She has slender fingers (纖細的手指).
  • This requires microscopic observation (纖微的觀察).
  • The artist pays attention to minute details (纖毫畢現).

Collocations

  • slender and delicate(纖細)
  • fine and soft(纖柔)
  • minute details(纖微)
  • fiber optics(光纖)
  • cellulose(纖維素)
  • fine craftsmanship(纖巧)

Idioms

  • Every minute detail is clearly visible(纖毫畢現)
  • As fine as an autumn hair(纖如秋毫)
  • Extremely detailed and meticulous(纖悉無遺)
  • Tiny and delicate(纖纖弱質)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to fine silk or hair, representing delicacy and refinement in traditional aesthetics.
  • In modern usage, frequently appears in technical terms like 'fiber optics' (光纖) and 'cellulose' (纖維素).
  • Often used in classical poetry to describe feminine beauty, slender figures, and delicate craftsmanship.

FAQ