Japanese word

些細

Pronunciation

Romajisasai

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveslight

Example

二つの絵には些細な違いがあります。futa tsu no e ni wa sa sai na chiga i ga a ri ma su

There is a slight difference between the two pictures.

Illustration for 些細 (slight)

More examples

彼は些細なミスを気にしません。kare wa sa sai na mi su o ki ni shi ma se n

He does not worry about minor mistakes.

Core concept

Describes something so small in degree or importance that it has little effect on the whole.

Common phrases

  • 些細なミスsa sai na mi su

    a minor mistake

  • 些細な違いsa sai na chiga i

    a slight difference

  • 些細なことsa sai na ko to

    a trivial matter

Similar words

軽微keibi: Describes a problem, change, or amount that is small in degree and has limited effects.
微細bisai: Describes something extremely small in size or detail.
些末samatsu: Describes a detail or matter that has little importance or influence.

Definition in Japanese

程度や重要性がごく小さく、取り立てて問題にするほどではないさま。tei do ya jū yō sei ga go ku chii sa ku to ri ta te te mon dai ni su ru ho do de wa na i sa ma

Word origin

些細 (sasai) combines 些 (sa, "small amount") and 細 (sai, "fine or minute"), expressing something very small in scale or importance.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 些細なこと (sasai na koto) can dismiss a matter as too minor to deserve attention, so it may sound minimizing when someone is discussing a concern.

Other meanings

  • trivialna-adjective
  • insignificantna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 些細さsasaisatrivialitynoun

Word lists with this word