细

The Chinese character 细 (xì) is composed of two parts: the radical 糸 (mì) and the phonetic component 細 (xì). The radical 糸 originally meant "thread" or "silk," and it is often used in characters related to textiles or thin objects. The phonetic component 細, on the other hand, is a simplified form of the character 絷 (xì), which means "to bind" or "to tie." Together, the two components of 细 suggest the idea of something thin, delicate, or detailed.The character 细 has a long history in Chinese, dating back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). It was originally used as a noun to refer to fine silk or thread, but over time it has also come to be used as an adjective to describe something that is thin, delicate, or detailed. For example, the word 细雨 (xìyǔ) means "drizzle," while the word 细节 (xìjié) means "details."In addition to its literal meaning, 细 can also be used in a figurative sense to describe something that is subtle or nuanced. For example, the word 细心 (xìxīn) means "attentive" or "careful," while the word 细致 (xìzhì) means "meticulous" or "thorough."Overall, the character 细 is a versatile and expressive character that can be used to describe a wide range of things, from physical objects to abstract concepts. Its rich history and varied meanings make it an essential character for HSK learners to master.