Meaning and Usage
The adjective "細い" (ほそい) primarily describes something that is thin, slender, or fine in shape or size. It is commonly used to describe physical characteristics such as fingers, hair, or roads.
Common Contexts
- Physical attributes: describing body parts like fingers or legs.
- Objects: describing thin or narrow items like roads or lines.
- Sounds: describing a weak or thin voice.
Collocations and Patterns
- 細い指 (ほそいゆび): slender fingers
- 細い道 (ほそいみち): narrow road
- 細い声 (ほそいこえ): thin or weak voice
Register and Nuance
"細い" is a neutral adjective suitable for everyday conversation and writing. It does not carry strong emotional connotations but can imply delicacy or fragility depending on context.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "細い" with "薄い" (うすい), which means "thin" but is used more for thickness of layers or intensity (like color or taste). Remember, "細い" focuses on shape or width, not thickness or density.