Chinese word

细腻

Pronunciation

Pinyinxì nì

Meaning

  • adjectivedelicate

Example

她的感情很细腻，很容易被感动。tā de gǎn qíng hěn xì nì hěn róng yì bèi gǎn dòng

Her feelings are very delicate, and she is easily moved.

Illustration for 细腻 (delicate)

More examples

这位作家的内心观察很细腻，细节描写入微。zhè wèi zuò jiā de nèi xīn guān chá hěn xì nì xì jié miáo xiě rù wēi

This writer's observations of the inner world are delicate, and the descriptions of details are very precise.

Core concept

Fine differences are noticed, expressed, or built into a smooth, richly layered whole.

Common phrases

  • 内心细腻nèi xīn xì nì

    delicate inner world

  • 口感细腻kóu gǎn xì nì

    fine-textured mouthfeel

  • 笔法细腻bí fǎ xì nì

    delicate writing style

Similar words

细致xì zhì: Careful and thorough in attending to details during work or handling.
敏感mín gǎn: Quick to react to outside stimuli or other people's feelings and notice slight changes.
微妙wēi miào: So slight or subtle that the difference or feeling is hard to state clearly.
精致jīng zhì: Finely made with careful details and a neat, attractive appearance.

Definition in Chinese

形容能够感知或表达微小差别的情感、感觉或描写，也可用于指物体表面或质地细致、光滑并富有层次的状态。xíng róng néng gòu gǎn zhī huò biǎo dá wēi xiǎo chā bié de qíng gǎn gǎn jué huò miáo xiě yě kě yòng yú zhǐ wù tǐ biǎo miàn huò zhì dì xì zhì guāng huá bìng fù yǒu céng cì de zhuàng tài

Word origin

细 (xì, "fine") + 腻 (nì, "rich and smooth") combines smallness with a smooth, layered feel, extending from physical surfaces to feelings and descriptive expression.

Usage tips

  • English delicate often suggests fragility, but the Chinese adjective can praise emotional expression, writing, or texture without suggesting weakness.

Other meanings

  • fine-texturedadjective
  • meticulousadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word