细节

• Pinyin: xì jié
• Hanzi breakdown: 细 = 糸 (silk) + 田 (field) — fine/thin; 节 = 竹 (bamboo) + 卩 (seal) — joint, section, detail

Meaning

Detail; a small, specific part of a larger whole. Refers to the finer points or particular aspects of something.

Used in a wide range of contexts including writing, planning, design, and conversation. 注意细节 (pay attention to details) is a very common expression in professional and educational settings. Often implies that thorough attention to small points is important for quality.

Examples

1. 这份报告写得很好，细节处理得非常到位。 This report is well written, and the handling of details is very thorough.
2. 他是一个很注重细节的人，工作从不马虎。 He is someone who pays great attention to detail and is never careless in his work.
3. 警察仔细观察了现场的每一个细节。 The police carefully observed every detail at the scene.

Usage Guide

Context: work, education, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请注意合同中的细节，避免出现问题。(Please pay attention to the details in the contract to avoid problems.)
• 这幅画在细节上做得非常精细。(This painting is extremely meticulous in its details.)

Don't Say

• 把细节用来指代整体或主要内容。(Don't use 细节 to refer to the main content or overall picture — 细节 specifically means the small, specific parts within a larger whole.)

Origin & History

Compound of 细 (fine/detailed) and 节 (section/joint/detail), together meaning 'fine details.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal