Translation guide
The tendency to set excessively high standards and be overly critical of oneself or others. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through nouns describing the trait, adjectives describing a person, or phrases about attention to detail.
Describing someone who is a perfectionist or has perfectionistic tendencies.
The most direct translation, literally 'perfection-ism'. Commonly used to describe the trait.
彼は完璧主義だから、仕事が遅い。
He's a perfectionist, so his work is slow.
A perfectionist (person).
彼女は完璧主義者で、細かいところまで気にする。
She's a perfectionist and pays attention to every little detail.
To seek perfection. Describes the behavior rather than the trait.
彼は何事にも完璧を求める。
He seeks perfection in everything.
Meticulous, methodical. Often used positively for someone who is very careful and orderly, but can imply perfectionism.
彼は几帳面な性格で、机の上はいつもきれいだ。
He has a meticulous personality, and his desk is always tidy.
A tendency to get deeply absorbed in details or hobbies; perfectionistic in a narrow sense. Often used for someone who can't stop until something is just right.
彼は凝り性で、趣味の模型作りに何時間もかける。
He's a perfectionist and spends hours on his hobby model-making.
Focusing on the act of being overly meticulous or nitpicky.
To be particular about small details. A common way to describe perfectionistic behavior.
彼は細かいことにこだわりすぎて、全体が見えていない。
He's so hung up on details that he can't see the big picture.
To pay attention to every detail. Can be positive or negative depending on context.
彼女は細部まで気を配る完璧主義者だ。
She's a perfectionist who pays attention to every detail.
Being overly critical of one's own work or performance.
Too hard on oneself. A natural way to describe self-critical perfectionism.
彼は自分に厳しすぎて、いつもストレスを感じている。
He's too hard on himself and always feels stressed.
Can't be satisfied unless it's perfect. Captures the compulsive aspect.
彼女は完璧でなければ気が済まないタイプだ。
She's the type who can't be satisfied unless it's perfect.
While 完璧主義 is the direct translation, it can sound clinical or formal. In casual conversation, describing the behavior (e.g., 細かいことにこだわる) is often more natural.
几帳面 (meticulous) is often a positive trait about being orderly and careful, while 完璧主義 (perfectionism) can carry a negative nuance of being overly demanding or inflexible.
Nervous, high-strung, overly sensitive to details. Often used for someone who worries excessively about small things.
彼は神経質で、ちょっとしたミスも許せない。
He's so high-strung that he can't tolerate even a small mistake.