Meet 薄 in everyday descriptions and a compound for low density. Learn each reading with its word.

The idea

薄 has 16 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 薄い（うすい） is an i-adjective, 薄める（うすめる） means to dilute something, and 希薄（きはく） describes low density.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample in context
薄いうすいThis book is thin.
薄めるうすめるPlease dilute the juice with water.
希薄きはくThe air is thin at the top of the mountain.

Examples

  • この本ほんは薄うすいです。This book is thin.
  • このお茶ちゃは薄うすいです。This tea is weak.
  • このシャツの色いろは薄うすいです。The colour of this shirt is pale.
  • ジュースを水みずで薄うすめてください。Please dilute the juice with water.
  • 薄うすく雪ゆきが積つもりました。A thin layer of snow has fallen.
  • 山やまの頂上ちょうじょうは空気くうきが希薄きはくです。The air is thin at the top of the mountain.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

薄い can mean thin, weak or pale according to the noun; weak tea is not physically thin. 厚い is the opposite for thickness.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 薄い in hiragana.

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    うすい

    薄い is うすい: the book is thin. Remember the reading with the adjective.

  2. Write the reading of 希薄 in hiragana.

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    きはく

    希薄 is きはく: the air at the summit is thin. The compound uses はく.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ジュースを水で＿める ［薄／厚］.

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    薄

    薄 makes 薄める（うすめる）, to dilute; water is the means. 厚 does not form this verb.

Use it today

Write 薄 using the stroke diagram. Cover the table, read the three words and describe something thin or weak.