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A2 adjective #3,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 6 دقيقة للقراءة

細い

hosoi
تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح 細い في 30 ثانية
الشرح 細い in your Level:
At the A1 level, you learn 'hosoi' as a basic descriptive word for physical objects. You use it to talk about things you can see and touch, like a 'thin pencil' or a 'thin tie.' The focus is on the simple dictionary form 'hosoi' and the polite 'hosoi desu.' You start to understand that it describes the shape of an object, specifically that it isn't 'thick' (futoi). You might use it in very simple sentences like 'This is a thin pen' (Kore wa hosoi pen desu). At this stage, the main goal is to distinguish 'hosoi' from other adjectives and use it to describe common classroom or household items. You don't need to worry about complex conjugations yet, just the basic present tense and how to put it before a noun.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'hosoi' to describe people and places. You can talk about someone having 'slender legs' or a 'thin waist.' You also learn to describe 'narrow roads' (hosoi michi), which is very useful for giving or following directions. You start using the negative form 'hosokunai' (not thin) and the past tense 'hosokatta' (was thin). You also learn the adverbial form 'hosoku' to describe actions, such as 'cutting thinly' (hosoku kiru) in a cooking context. You understand the basic difference between 'hosoi' (for cylinders) and 'usui' (for flat things), although you might still make occasional mistakes. Your sentences become slightly more complex, using conjunctions like 'kara' (because) — for example, 'The road is narrow, so be careful' (Michi ga hosoi kara, ki o tsukete).
At the B1 level, you move beyond purely physical descriptions. You start to encounter 'hosoi' in more abstract or idiomatic contexts. For example, you might hear 'hosoi koe' to describe a faint or weak voice, or 'shoku ga hosoi' to describe someone who doesn't eat much. You are expected to use the 'te-form' (hosokute) to connect 'hosoi' with other adjectives, like 'hosokute nagai' (thin and long). You also become more confident in choosing between 'hosoi' and 'usui' without hesitation. You can participate in conversations about fashion or health where 'hosoi' is used to discuss body types. You understand the nuance that 'hosoi' is generally a positive or neutral description of a person's build in Japanese culture, whereas 'yaseteyiru' might sound more clinical or sometimes negative.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the B2 level, you master the nuances of 'hosoi' in professional and literary contexts. You can use it to describe technical details, such as the 'fine' resolution of a screen or the 'narrow' margin of a victory. You understand more complex compounds like 'hosonagai' (long and thin) or 'komakai' (fine/detailed) and how they overlap with 'hosoi.' You can use 'hosoi' in formal speech (keigo) contexts, such as describing a delicate product to a customer. You also start to recognize 'hosoi' in literature where it might be used to set a specific mood—describing a 'thin' sliver of moonlight or a 'tenuous' connection between two events. Your ability to use the adverbial 'hosoku' expands to more sophisticated verbs, like 'hosoku bunseki suru' (to analyze minutely/finely).
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the etymological roots of 'hosoi' and its relationship to the kanji '細'. You can appreciate and use idiomatic expressions fluently, such as 'hosoude' (literally 'thin arm,' but meaning a person of meager skill or a woman who manages a household alone). You understand the poetic uses of 'hosoi' in haiku or classical literature, where it might symbolize fragility or elegance. You can discuss the subtle differences between 'hosoi,' 'sensai' (delicate), and 'kyasha' (dainty) in a nuanced way. You are also aware of how 'hosoi' appears in various dialects or specialized jargon, such as in traditional crafts like weaving or pottery, where the 'fineness' of a material is paramount. You can use the word to describe complex social dynamics, like a 'thinning' relationship or a 'narrow' path to reconciliation.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the C2 level, your command of 'hosoi' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the word in all its metaphorical, idiomatic, and technical glory. You understand archaic uses of the kanji '細' in historical documents and how the meaning has shifted over centuries. You can use 'hosoi' to articulate extremely subtle observations in philosophy or art criticism, where the 'thinness' of a line or a concept is analyzed. You are comfortable using 'hosoi' in high-level academic writing or legal contexts where precision is required. You can also play with the word in creative writing, using it to evoke specific sensory details or emotional states that go far beyond its basic definition of 'thin.' You have complete mastery over all related vocabulary and can choose the perfect word for any level of 'fineness' or 'narrowness.'
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

細い في 30 ثانية

  • Hosoi means thin or slender for long, cylindrical objects like pens, fingers, or ropes.
  • It also means narrow when describing spaces like roads, paths, or alleys.
  • Do not use it for flat things like paper; use 'usui' instead for those cases.
  • It can metaphorically describe a weak voice or a small appetite (shoku ga hosoi).

The Japanese adjective 細い (hosoi) is a fundamental word used to describe objects that are thin, slender, or narrow in diameter or width. Unlike the English word 'thin,' which can apply to many contexts, hosoi is specifically reserved for long, cylindrical, or line-like objects. Think of things like threads, pens, fingers, legs, or narrow streets. The kanji character 細 itself is composed of the 'thread' radical (糸) on the left and 'field' (田) on the right, originally suggesting the fine, delicate nature of silk threads produced in a field environment. This visual etymology helps learners remember that hosoi is about the 'fineness' of a strand or a path.

Physical Dimension
Refers to the small diameter of a 3D object like a tree branch or a human limb. It emphasizes a lack of girth.
Spatial Width
Refers to the narrowness of a 2D space, such as a side alley (hosoi michi) where a car might struggle to pass.
Abstract Fineness
Used metaphorically for things like a 'thin voice' (hosoi koe), meaning a faint or weak sound, or 'thin luck' (un ga hosoi).

「このペンは先が細いので、書きやすいです。」

(Kono pen wa saki ga hosoi node, kakiyasui desu.) — This pen has a thin tip, so it is easy to write with.

「彼女は足が細いですね。」

(Kanojo wa ashi ga hosoi desu ne.) — She has slender legs, doesn't she?

「細い道を通って、公園に行きました。」

(Hosoi michi o tootte, kouen ni ikimashita.) — We went to the park through a narrow path.

「糸が細いから、切れないように気をつけて。」

(Ito ga hosoi kara, kirenai you ni ki o tsukete.) — The thread is thin, so be careful not to break it.

「彼は食が細い。」

(Kare wa shoku ga hosoi.) — He has a small appetite (literally: his eating is thin).

As an i-adjective, hosoi follows standard Japanese conjugation rules. It can directly modify nouns or function as a predicate. Understanding its adverbial form is also crucial for describing actions that result in 'thinness,' such as cutting vegetables or drawing lines.

Conjugation Table

FormJapaneseRomajiMeaning
Dictionary細いhosoiThin / Slender
Negative細くないhosokunaiNot thin
Past細かったhosokattaWas thin
Past Negative細くなかったhosokunakattaWas not thin
Adverbial細くhosokuThinly
Te-form細くてhosokuteThin and...

Practical Application

When you want to describe how someone performs an action to make something thin, you use the adverbial form hosoku + a verb. For example, 'hosoku kiru' (to cut thinly) is a common instruction in Japanese recipes for vegetables like carrots or daikon radish.

Modifying Nouns
[Adjective] + [Noun]: 細い線 (hosoi sen) - A thin line.
Predicate Usage
[Subject] は [Adjective] です: この紐は細いです (Kono himo wa hosoi desu) - This string is thin.
Degree Modifiers
Use totemo (very) or sukoshi (a little): とても細い (totemo hosoi) - Very thin.

You will encounter hosoi in a variety of daily life scenarios in Japan, ranging from casual conversations about fashion to technical descriptions in a hardware store. It is a high-frequency word that appears in many set phrases and idiomatic expressions.

Common Scenarios

  • Fashion & Beauty: When shopping for clothes, you might hear 'hosomi' (slim fit) or discuss how 'hosoi' a model's waist is. It is often used as a standard of beauty.
  • Cooking: Recipes frequently call for ingredients to be cut 'hosoku' (thinly) into strips, such as 'hosonagai' (long and thin) slices of ginger.
  • Driving & Navigation: GPS systems or locals might warn you about 'hosoi michi' (narrow roads), which are ubiquitous in older Japanese neighborhoods.
  • Stationery: When buying pens, you will choose between 'futoi' (thick/bold) and 'hosoi' (fine/thin) tips.
In the Office
'Hosoi sen de kaite kudasai' (Please draw with a thin line) - common in design or drafting.
At the Doctor
'Kekkan ga hosoi' (The blood vessels are thin/narrow) - often said when a nurse is looking for a vein for a blood test.
In Nature
'Hosoi eda' (Thin branches) - describing the delicate parts of a tree during cherry blossom season.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with hosoi is using it as a universal translation for 'thin.' Japanese is much more specific about the geometry of the object being described.

1. Hosoi vs. Usui (The Geometry Trap)

This is the #1 error. Use hosoi for 1D/3D 'strand-like' or 'pole-like' objects. Use usui (薄い) for 2D 'sheet-like' objects.

  • ❌ Hosoi kami (Thin paper) → ✅ Usui kami
  • ❌ Hosoi shatsu (Thin shirt/fabric) → ✅ Usui shatsu
  • ✅ Hosoi yubi (Thin finger) - Correct, because a finger is cylindrical.

2. Hosoi vs. Karui (Weight vs. Width)

Sometimes learners use hosoi when they mean 'lightweight.' While thin things are often light, the words are not interchangeable.

  • ❌ Kono kaban wa hosoi desu (This bag is thin - meaning light) → ✅ Kono kaban wa karui desu

3. Hosoi vs. Yaseteyiru (Body Image)

While hosoi describes the state of being slender, yaseteyiru (痩せている) describes the process or state of having lost weight or being skinny/thin. Hosoi is more descriptive of the shape, while yaseteyiru can sometimes imply a lack of health if used incorrectly.

To truly master Japanese, you need to know the synonyms and related terms that provide more specific nuances than the general word hosoi.

スリム (Surimu)
Borrowed from English 'slim.' Used almost exclusively for body types and fashion. It has a modern, stylish connotation.
細長い (Hosonagai)
A combination of hosoi (thin) and nagai (long). Used for things like envelopes, long-shaped balloons, or lanky people.
繊細 (Sensai)
Delicate or fine. Used for craftsmanship, feelings, or intricate lace patterns. It implies a high level of detail.
華奢 (Kyasha)
Dainty or fragile. Often used to describe a woman's delicate frame or a fragile piece of jewelry.

Antonyms to Know

  • 太い (Futoi): Thick, fat, bold. The direct opposite of hosoi. Used for legs, ropes, and lines.
  • 厚い (Atsui): Thick (for flat objects). The opposite of usui.

How Formal Is It?

مستوى الصعوبة

قواعد يجب معرفتها

i-adjective conjugation

Adverbial form (~ku)

Connecting adjectives (~kute)

Noun + ga + Adjective (Ashi ga hosoi)

Degree modifiers (totemo, chotto)

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

これは細いペンです。

This is a thin pen.

Simple [Adjective] + [Noun] structure.

2

その紐は細いです。

That string is thin.

Predicate usage with 'desu'.

3

細いネクタイを買いました。

I bought a thin tie.

Modifying a noun in an object phrase.

4

この鉛筆は細くないです。

This pencil is not thin.

Negative form 'hosokunai'.

5

細い木があります。

There is a thin tree.

Describing a physical object's girth.

6

指が細いですね。

Your fingers are thin, aren't they?

Using 'ne' for confirmation/agreement.

7

細い線を描いてください。

Please draw a thin line.

Imperative 'kudasai' with a modified noun.

8

一番細い紐はどれですか？

Which one is the thinnest string?

Superlative 'ichiban'.

1

ここは道が細いので、気をつけてください。

The road is narrow here, so please be careful.

Using 'node' to explain a reason.

2

野菜を細く切ります。

I will cut the vegetables thinly.

Adverbial form 'hosoku' + verb.

3

彼女は足が細くて、きれいです。

She has slender legs and is beautiful.

Te-form 'hosokute' to connect adjectives.

4

もっと細い糸が欲しいです。

I want a thinner thread.

Comparative 'motto'.

5

昔、私はもっと細かったです。

I was thinner a long time ago.

Past tense 'hosokatta'.

6

このペン先は細すぎて、書きにくいです。

This pen tip is too thin and hard to write with.

Using '~sugiru' (too much).

7

細い道を通って帰りましょう。

Let's go home through the narrow path.

Volitional form 'mashou'.

8

あの人は食が細いですね。

That person has a small appetite, don't they?

Idiomatic use for appetite.

1

隣の部屋から細い声が聞こえました。

I heard a faint voice from the next room.

Metaphorical use for sound/voice.

2

彼は病気で、腕が細くなってしまいました。

He got sick, and his arms have become thin.

Change of state '~naru' with adverbial form.

3

この布は細い糸で織られています。

This cloth is woven with thin threads.

Passive voice 'orarete iru'.

4

細い望みを捨てずに頑張ります。

I will do my best without giving up my slim hope.

Abstract use for 'hope'.

5

川の幅がだんだん細くなってきました。

The width of the river has gradually become narrower.

Describing gradual change.

6

細い路地に入ると、古い家がたくさんありました。

When I entered the narrow alley, there were many old houses.

Conditional '~to' for discovery.

7

彼は指が細いので、ピアノを弾くのに向いています。

He has slender fingers, so he is suited for playing the piano.

Expressing suitability.

8

このメガネのフレームは細くて軽いです。

This glasses frame is thin and light.

Describing physical attributes of products.

1

成功と失敗の間には、細い線しかありません。

There is only a thin line between success and failure.

Metaphorical 'thin line'.

2

細いペンで、細かい図面を描きます。

I draw detailed blueprints with a fine pen.

Using 'hosoi' and 'komakai' together.

3

彼女の細い体つきからは想像できないほど、力持ちです。

She is strong, more than you could imagine from her slender build.

Contrast using '~kara wa souzou dekinai'.

4

その事件は、細い糸をたどるように解決に向かった。

The case moved toward a resolution as if following a thin thread.

Simile using 'youni'.

5

この地域の伝統工芸は、細い竹を使って作られます。

The traditional crafts of this region are made using thin bamboo.

Describing materials in passive voice.

6

細い月が夜空に浮かんでいます。

A thin crescent moon is floating in the night sky.

Descriptive literary language.

7

彼は運が細いと言いながらも、努力を続けている。

Even though he says his luck is thin, he continues to make an effort.

Idiomatic 'un ga hosoi'.

8

この細い管を通して、液体を送ります。

The liquid is sent through this thin tube.

Technical/Scientific context.

1

二人の関係は、今や細い糸一本でつながっている状態だ。

The relationship between the two is now connected by a single thin thread.

Advanced metaphor for fragility.

2

細腕一本で家族を養ってきた彼女を尊敬している。

I respect her for having supported her family all by herself (with her 'thin arms').

Idiomatic 'hosoude' (self-reliance/woman's strength).

3

その作家の文体は、細い針で刺すような鋭さがある。

That author's writing style has a sharpness like being pricked by a thin needle.

Literary criticism/description.

4

細い煙が、冬の冷たい空気の中に消えていった。

A thin wisp of smoke vanished into the cold winter air.

Evocative sensory description.

5

神経を細くして、その作業に取り組んだ。

I focused intensely (made my nerves thin/sharp) and tackled the task.

Idiomatic 'shinkei o hosoku suru'.

6

細い路地の奥に、ひっそりと佇む名店を見つけた。

Deep in a narrow alley, I found a famous shop standing quietly.

Nuanced spatial description.

7

彼の声は細く、震えていたが、決意に満ちていた。

His voice was thin and trembling, but full of determination.

Combining physical state with emotional state.

8

この繊細なレースは、驚くほど細い糸で編まれている。

This delicate lace is knitted with surprisingly thin threads.

Using 'sensai' and 'hosoi' to emphasize quality.

1

命の灯火が細くなっていくのを、ただ見守るしかなかった。

I could only watch as the flame of life grew thinner (faded).

Euphemism for dying.

2

その学説の根拠は、あまりにも細く、脆いものだった。

The basis of that theory was far too thin and fragile.

Abstract critique of logic.

3

細部にわたる細い配慮が、この製品の価値を高めている。

The minute, detailed considerations (thin/fine care) enhance the value of this product.

Formal business/aesthetic praise.

4

歴史の細い糸を紡ぐように、彼は古い資料を読み解いた。

He deciphered old documents as if spinning the thin threads of history.

High-level metaphorical narrative.

5

細い月明かりを頼りに、険しい山道を進んだ。

Relying on the thin moonlight, we proceeded along the steep mountain path.

Atmospheric literary setting.

6

彼の政治的生命は、今や細い一本の糸に吊るされている。

His political life is now hanging by a single thin thread.

Political/Journalistic idiom.

7

細い筆致で描かれたその絵画は、見る者を圧倒した。

The painting, drawn with fine brushstrokes, overwhelmed the viewer.

Artistic terminology.

8

細く長く生きるのが、彼の人生の哲学だ。

Living a thin but long life (a modest but long life) is his philosophy.

Idiomatic 'hosoku nagaku' (modest longevity).

تلازمات شائعة

細い道 (hosoi michi) - narrow road
細い指 (hosoi yubi) - slender fingers
細い線 (hosoi sen) - thin line
細い糸 (hosoi ito) - thin thread
細い声 (hosoi koe) - faint voice
食が細い (shoku ga hosoi) - small appetite
細い腕 (hosoi ude) - thin arms
細いペン (hosoi pen) - fine pen
細い足 (hosoi ashi) - slender legs
細い紐 (hosoi himo) - thin string

العبارات الشائعة

目が細い (me ga hosoi) - to have narrow/slanted eyes
線が細い (sen ga hosoi) - to look frail or delicate (person)
細く切る (hosoku kiru) - to cut into thin strips
細く長く (hosoku nagaku) - living modestly but long
声が細くなる (koe ga hosoku naru) - voice becomes faint
細い望み (hosoi nozomi) - a slim hope
首を細くする (kubi o hosoku suru) - to wait anxiously (rare variant)
細い体 (hosoi karada) - slender body
細い枝 (hosoi eda) - thin branch
細い路地 (hosoi roji) - narrow alley

يُخلط عادةً مع

細い vs 薄い (usui)

Usui is for flat things (paper, cloth); Hosoi is for cylindrical things (pens, legs).

細い vs 弱い (yowai)

Yowai means weak; Hosoi means thin. A thin voice (hosoi koe) is weak, but the words are different.

細い vs 狭い (semai)

Semai means narrow (area/room); Hosoi means narrow (width of a path/line).

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"食が細い (shoku ga hosoi) - To have a small appetite."
"細腕一本で (hosoude ippon de) - Supporting a family alone (usually a woman)."
"線が細い (sen ga hosoi) - To have a delicate or frail appearance/character."
"細く長く生きる (hosoku nagaku ikiru) - To live a long, modest, and steady life."
"運が細い (un ga hosoi) - To have little luck."
"神経を細くする (shinkei o hosoku suru) - To be extremely sensitive or attentive."
"細い糸をたどる (hosoi ito o tadoru) - To follow a very faint clue."
"命の糸が細くなる (inochi no ito ga hosoku naru) - To be on the verge of death."
"細い煙 (hosoi kemuri) - A tiny bit of evidence or hope."
"細い目をする (hosoi me o suru) - To squint or look with narrow eyes (often in a smile)."

سهل الخلط

細い vs 細かい (komakai)

細い vs 痩せる (yaseru)

細い vs 薄い (usui)

細い vs 軽い (karui)

細い vs 低い (hikui)

أنماط الجُمل

[Noun] は [Noun] が 細い。

彼は足が細い。

細い [Noun] を [Verb]。

細い線を描く。

[Noun] を 細く [Verb]。

野菜を細く切る。

細くて [Adjective] [Noun]。

細くて長い紐。

[Noun] は 細くない。

このペンは細くない。

一番 細い [Noun]。

一番細い針。

細い [Noun] が 好きだ。

細いネクタイが好きだ。

道が 細くて [Verb]。

道が細くて通れない。

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

objects

Commonly used for pens, strings, threads, needles, and branches.

abstract

Used for voice, hope, and appetite.

body parts

Commonly used for arms, legs, fingers, and waist.

أخطاء شائعة
  • Using hosoi for paper.
  • Using hosoi for a narrow room.
  • Saying 'hosoi desu' for 'I am hungry'.
  • Confusing hosoi with karui (light).
  • Using hosoi for a short person.

نصائح

Conjugation Check

Remember to drop the 'i' when adding 'kunai' or 'katta'. Hosoi -> Hosokunai.

Pairing

Learn 'hosoi' and 'futoi' as a set to remember 'thin' vs 'thick' easily.

Compliments

Using 'hosoi' to describe a Japanese friend's appearance is usually very safe and positive.

Recipe Reading

When you see 'hosoku kiru', reach for your knife to make thin matchsticks.

Kanji Radical

The left part of 細 is 'thread' (糸). Threads are the ultimate 'hosoi' thing!

Emphasis

Stretch the 'o' slightly (ho-so-i) to emphasize how thin something really is.

Shape Matters

Always visualize the object. Is it a cylinder? Use 'hosoi'. Is it a sheet? Use 'usui'.

Small Appetite

Use 'shoku ga hosoi' instead of 'little eater' to sound more natural in Japanese.

Road Safety

In Japan, 'hosoi michi' often means no space for two cars to pass. Be careful!

Pen Tips

When buying pens, look for the kanji 細 (fine) or 極細 (extra fine).

احفظها

أصل الكلمة

Old Japanese origin. The kanji 細 combines 糸 (thread) and 田 (field).

السياق الثقافي

Narrow alleys (hosoi michi) are a characteristic feature of 'shitamachi' (old downtown) areas.

The ability to cut ingredients 'hosoku' (thinly) is a mark of a skilled chef.

Slenderness is highly valued in Japanese fashion.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

بدايات محادثة

"「このペン、すごく細いですね。どこで買いましたか？」"

"「最近、少し細くなったんじゃない？」"

"「この辺りは道が細いから、運転が大変ですね。」"

"「お箸は細いほうが使いやすいですか？」"

"「彼女は本当に食が細いですね。」"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Describe a narrow street you once walked down.

What is something you prefer to be thin (e.g., a pen, a phone)?

Write about a time you had to be careful because something was too thin.

Describe your favorite food that is cut thinly.

Do you think having a 'small appetite' (shoku ga hosoi) is a good thing?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, a book is flat/rectangular, so you should use 'usui' (薄い).

Usually yes for women, but for men it can sometimes imply a lack of muscle.

The opposite is 'futoi' (太い), which means thick or fat.

You can say 'motto hosoi' or 'yori hosoi'.

No, for height use 'se ga takai' (tall) or 'se ga hikui' (short).

Not necessarily, it just means the voice is faint or delicate.

It means someone doesn't eat very much habitually.

No, use 'semai' (狭い) for rooms or areas.

The kanji is 細.

It is an i-adjective.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات

اختبر نفسك 180 أسئلة

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

سجّل مجاناً للتدريب

محتوى ذو صلة

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟

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