Translation guide
Describes someone who notices and cares about small points, accuracy, and thoroughness. Japanese expressions range from positive traits like 几帳面 (meticulous) to negative ones like 細かい (nitpicky). The best choice depends on whether you are praising carefulness or criticizing over-focus on trivial matters.
Praising someone who pays close attention to details and does things accurately and completely.
A な-adjective meaning meticulous, methodical, and punctilious. Very common for describing a person who is careful about details in work, scheduling, or money.
彼は几帳面な性格だ。
He has a meticulous personality.
几帳面にノートを取る。
She takes notes meticulously.
A な-adjective meaning attentive, considerate, and careful. Often used for thoughtful attention to others' feelings or to fine details in service.
細やかな心配りが感じられる。
You can feel the attentive consideration.
細やかな装飾が美しい。
The delicate decorations are beautiful.
An い-adjective meaning careful, cautious, and attentive. Emphasizes watching out for mistakes or dangers.
彼は注意深く書類をチェックした。
He checked the documents carefully.
A common phrase meaning 'to notice small details'. Used positively for someone who is observant and attentive.
彼女は細かいところに気がつく人だ。
She is someone who notices small details.
A な-adjective meaning polite, careful, and thorough. Often used for work done with great care and attention to detail.
丁寧な仕事ぶりだ。
His work is very careful and thorough.
Describing a person who focuses on details, without strong positive or negative judgment.
An い-adjective meaning detailed, fine, or small. When describing a person, it can mean 'detail-oriented' but can also sound negative (nitpicky). Context is key.
When used to describe a person's character, 細かい can imply being overly concerned with trivial things. Use with care.
彼は細かい作業が得意だ。
He is good at detailed work.
A な-adjective meaning elaborate, detailed, and precise. Often used for plans, calculations, or artwork.
Criticizing someone who pays too much attention to unimportant details.
When used to describe a person, 細かい often means 'nitpicky' or 'fussy about small things'.
細かい人だね。
He's so nitpicky.
Literally 'noisy', but can mean 'fussy' or 'picky' when describing a person's attention to details.
Literally 'too detailed', used to criticize excessive attention to trivial matters.
その説明は細かすぎる。
That explanation is too detailed (and unnecessary).
几帳面 is almost always positive (meticulous, orderly). 細かい can be positive (detailed) or negative (nitpicky) depending on context. When praising someone's attention to detail, 几帳面 is safer.
The English phrase 'attentive to detail' does not have a single direct Japanese equivalent. Translating word-for-word (e.g., 詳細に注意深い) sounds unnatural. Choose an expression based on the intended nuance.
彼女は仕事がとても丁寧だ。
She is very attentive to detail in her work.
Natural Japanese uses 丁寧 (careful/thorough) rather than a literal translation.
もっと細かいところに気をつけて。
You need to be more attentive to detail.
A common way to say 'pay more attention to details'.
Make a detailed plan.
彼は味にうるさい。
He is very particular about taste.