How to say "delicate" in Japanese

• 弱いよわいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers the 'delicate' sense as frailty or weakness — a delicate constitution or a delicate child. The nuance is simply lacking strength, so it is the natural choice when delicate means 'not robust'.
  それを言いわれると弱よわいなあ。↗

  That sure puts me on the spot.
• 微妙びみょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounFor delicate situations, differences, or questions — matters that are subtle and need careful handling or fine judgment. A delicate negotiation or a delicate balance is 微妙; it does not describe physical frailty.
  その２つの絵えには微妙びみょうな違ちがいがある。↗

  There are subtle differences between the two pictures.
• 繊細せんさいCommon
  na-adjective, nounUsed for dainty, fine physical delicacy, such as delicate fingers, and by extension for fine, sensitive craftsmanship or sensitivity. It suggests slenderness and refined fineness rather than weakness or subtlety.
• 緻密ちみつCommon
  na-adjective, nounApplies to delicate in the sense of fine texture or structure — close weave, fine grain, intricate workmanship. It is really about fineness and intricacy of detail, so it suits delicate lace or delicate precision work, not frail people.
• か弱いかよわいCommon
  i-adjectiveFor delicate meaning weak, feeble, or frail — a delicate, sickly person or creature. The nuance is a somewhat pitiable frailty; it is a natural choice for people or small living things that seem easily harmed.
  彼女かのじょの子こどもはか弱よわかった。↗

  Her child was in delicate health.

Pick 「弱い」 or 「か弱い」 for physical frailty, 微妙 for subtlety requiring tact or fine judgment, 繊細 for dainty fineness of things like fingers, and 緻密 for fine, intricate texture or workmanship.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 弱いよわいweak
• 微妙びみょうsubtle
• 繊細せんさいdainty
• 緻密ちみつfine (grain, workmanship, etc.)
• か弱いかよわいweak
• 精緻せいちdelicate
• 精巧せいこうelaborate
• ほのかfaint
• 弱々しいよわよわしいweak
• 華奢きゃしゃdainty
• あえかdelicate
• 繊弱せんじゃくdelicate
• ひ弱ひよわweak
• 傷つきやすいきずつきやすいfragile
• 妙なるたえなるexquisite (e.g. melody)
• 機徴きちょうsensitive
• びみょいsubtle
• ほっそりslim
• 優艶ゆうえんcharming
• なよやかsupple
• 精微せいびdetailed
• デリケートdelicate (issue, problem, etc.)
• きわどいsuggestive
• 薄口うすくちthin (porcelain, ceramic, etc.)
• か細いかぼそいdelicate
• 言いがたいいいがたいembarrassing