ほのか

In a sentence

• 部屋の窓からほのかに光が差し込んでいた。

  A faint light was streaming in through the room's window.

  Here, ほのかに ('faintly') is used as an adverb to describe the gentle or subtle quality of the light.

• この花の香りはほのかで、とても心地良い。

  The scent of these flowers is subtle and very pleasant.

  In this sentence, ほのか ('subtle') is used as an adjective to describe the mild characteristic of the fragrance.

• 彼の表情にほのかな微笑みが見えた。

  I could see a faint smile on his expression.

  Here, ほのかな ('faint') is used as an adjective to describe a barely visible or slight smile.