妙
妙·strange, exquisite
- On-yomi
- ミョウ
- 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 |
| 妙な | みょうな | odd, strange |
| 巧妙 | こうみょう | ingenious, skilful |
| 絶妙 | ぜつみょう | exquisite, perfectly judged |
Example sentences
妙な話だと思いませんか。
みょうなはなしだとおもいませんか。
Don't you think it's an odd story?
味は微妙だった。
あじはびみょうだった。
The taste was so-so.
タイミングが絶妙でした。
タイミングがぜつみょうでした。
The timing was perfect.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Assuming 妙 is always negative — 絶妙 and 巧妙 are praise; only 妙な on its own leans toward 'odd'
- Reading 微妙 as びみょ — the long vowel matters: びみょう
Memory aid
Picture it
Woman (女) plus few (少) — a rare fineness, and, when it tips the other way, something just slightly off.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 妙 mean?