Japanese word

かすか

Pronunciation

Romajikasuka

Meaning

  • na-adjectivefaint

Example

遠くでかすかな音が聞こえます。tō ku de ka su ka na oto ga ki ko e ma su

I hear a faint sound in the distance.

Illustration for かすか (faint)

More examples

暗い部屋にかすかな光が差し込んでいます。kura i heya ni ka su ka na hikari ga sa shi ko n de i ma su

A faint light is shining into the dark room.

Core concept

Indicates a trace or degree that is present but too weak or slight to stand out clearly.

Common phrases

  • かすかな光ka su ka na hikari

    faint light

  • かすかな声ka su ka na koe

    faint voice

  • かすかな音ka su ka na oto

    faint sound

  • かすかな香りka su ka na kao ri

    faint scent

Similar words

わずかwazuka: Only a small amount or degree exists, whether or not it can be sensed directly.
ほのかhonoka: A sound, light, smell, or feeling has a gentle quality that is only slightly noticeable.

Definition in Japanese

物の存在や程度がごく小さく、注意しなければ気づきにくいさま。mono no son zai ya tei do ga go ku chii sa ku chū i shi na ke re ba ki zu ki ni ku i sa ma

Word origin

かすか (kasuka, "faint") is the modern form of the classical adjective かすかなり (kasukanari, "faint"), while the word's earlier origin is not certain.

Usage tips

  • The word often marks a barely noticeable trace, as in かすかな記憶 (kasuka na kioku, "a faint memory"), so it can describe something abstract as well as a sound, light, or smell.

Other meanings

  • dimna-adjective
  • slightna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • かすかさkasukasafaintnessnoun

Word lists with this word