微(かす)かな

かすかな
na-adjective
faint, slight
descriptive
1. faint, slight, barely perceptible
Describes something that is very weak or subtle, barely detectable by the senses. Used for sounds, light, smells, movements, or abstract things like hope or memory.
微(かす)かな音(おと)がした。
I heard a faint sound.
微(かす)かな光(ひかり)が窓(まど)から差(さ)し込(こ)んでいた。
A faint light was streaming in through the window.
遠(とお)くから微(かす)かな音楽(おんがく)が聞(き)こえてきたので、耳(みみ)を澄(す)ました。
I could hear faint music from far away, so I listened carefully.

Usage

Describes things that are barely perceptible — sounds, light, smells, sensations, or abstract things like hope or memory. The adverbial form 微(かす)かに is also very common.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 僅(わず)かな: emphasizes smallness in quantity or degree, while 微(かす)かな emphasizes weak perceptibility
  • 薄(うす)い: thin, pale — describes visual faintness more than sensory faintness

Related Words

Compare: 僅(わず)かな (small quantity/degree)
Compare: 薄(うす)い (thin, pale)
general
Added 2026.3.18 8:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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