微
微·minute, slight
- On-yomi
- ビ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 微妙 | びみょう | subtle; delicate; iffy |
| 微笑 | びしょう | a smile |
| 微生物 | びせいぶつ | microorganism |
| 微熱 | びねつ | slight fever |
Example sentences
今朝から微熱がある。
けさからびねつがある。
I've had a slight fever since this morning.
彼女は微笑を浮かべてうなずいた。
かのじょはびしょうをうかべてうなずいた。
She smiled faintly and nodded.
二つの味は微妙に違う。
ふたつのあじはびみょうにちがう。
The two flavours differ subtly.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 微妙 as びみゅう — it is びみょう
- In conversation 微妙 often means 'not great / iffy', not literally 'subtle'
Memory aid
Picture it
The 彳 'walking' radical beside a cramped, crowded middle: something so small you have to walk right up to it.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 微 mean?