仔细
Traditional: 仔細
zǐ xì HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

请仔细看说明。
Qǐng zǐxì kàn shuōmíng.
Please read the instructions carefully.
她做事很仔细。
Tā zuòshì hěn zǐxì.
She does things very carefully.
仔细听老师的话。
Zǐxì tīng lǎoshī de huà.
Listen to the teacher carefully.
请仔细看。
Qǐng zǐxì kàn.
Please look carefully.
他做事很仔细。
Tā zuòshì hěn zǐxì.
He works very meticulously.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of the character 仔 (zǐ) as a 'child' who needs careful attention, and 细 (xì) as 'fine/detailed.' Together, they mean 'pay detailed attention like caring for a child.'

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts, common in both spoken and written Chinese. Frequently appears in instructions, warnings, advice, or when describing someone's work or study habits (e.g., 仔细检查, 仔细听).

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as an adverbial modifier before verbs (e.g., 仔细 + V: 仔细看). Can also be used as a predicate adjective (e.g., 他很仔细). Can be reduplicated as 仔仔细细 for emphasis.

🏯 Cultural Notes

Reflects a cultural value placed on diligence, thoroughness, and avoiding mistakes in tasks, especially in educational and professional settings. Often used by teachers or supervisors to encourage careful work.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 认真 (rènzhēn, 'serious/diligent'), which focuses on earnest effort, 仔细 emphasizes careful attention to detail. 小心 (xiǎoxīn) means 'cautious' regarding safety or mistakes, while 仔细 is more about thoroughness.

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