How common it is
细 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say xì slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
细表示很小、很精细。
xì biǎo shì hěn xiǎo 、 hěn jīng xì。
Thin means very small or fine.
Context note
细常用于线条、观察和声音。
xì cháng yòng yú xiàn tiáo 、 guān chá hé shēng yīn。
Thin often appears with lines, observation, and sound.
5 examples
这条线很细。
zhè tiáo xiàn hěn xì。
This line is very thin.
他看得很细。
tā kàn dé hěn xì。
He looks very carefully.
头发很细。
tóu fa hěn xì。
The hair is very fine.
请说细一点。
qǐng shuō xì yì diǎn。
Please explain in more detail.
这根绳子很细。
zhè gēn shéng zi hěn xì。
This rope is very thin.
5 mini stories
老师让我们看得细一点。
lǎo shī ràng wǒ men kàn dé xì yì diǎn。
The teacher asked us to look more carefully.
这支笔的线很细。
zhè zhī bǐ de xiàn hěn xì。
The line from this pen is very thin.
她的声音很细。
tā de shēng yīn hěn xì。
Her voice is very soft and fine.
他把事情讲得很细。
tā bǎ shì qíng jiǎng dé hěn xì。
He explained the matter in great detail.
这条小路很细。
zhè tiáo xiǎo lù hěn xì。
This little path is very narrow.