微熱

• Reading: びねつ
• Romaji: binetsu
• Kanji breakdown: 微 (bi) — slight, faint, subtle; 熱 (netsu) — heat, fever
• Pronunciation: /bi.ne.tsɯ/

Meaning

Slight fever; low-grade fever. A body temperature slightly above normal.

A noun referring to a mild fever, typically around 37.0–37.9°C in Japanese medical standards. Very commonly used in daily conversation — Japanese people monitor body temperature closely, and 微熱がある (to have a slight fever) is a frequent reason for visiting a doctor or staying home. Distinguished from 高熱 (kounetsu, high fever) which indicates a more serious condition.

Examples

1. 朝から微熱があったので、会社を休んだ。 I had a slight fever since morning, so I stayed home from work.
2. 微熱が続いているなら、一度病院に行ったほうがいい。 If you keep having a slight fever, you should go see a doctor.
3. 子どもが微熱を出したけど、元気に遊んでいる。 My kid has a slight fever, but they're still playing energetically.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, medical, workplace

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 微 (bi, slight/faint) + 熱 (netsu, heat/fever). Literally 'slight heat' — a small elevation in body temperature.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal