Translation guide
Describes a person who strives for flawlessness and sets extremely high standards. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and descriptive phrases, with nuances ranging from neutral to negative.
To describe someone who is a perfectionist in a general or neutral sense.
The most direct and common translation. It literally means 'perfection-ism-person' and is widely understood.
彼は完璧主義者だから、仕事が遅い。
He's a perfectionist, so his work is slow.
Similar to 完璧主義者, but slightly less common. '完全' means 'complete/perfect'.
彼女は完全主義者で、細かいところまで気にする。
She's a perfectionist and pays attention to every little detail.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a person who seeks perfection'. More conversational than the noun forms.
あの人はいつも完璧を求める人だね。
That person is always a perfectionist, isn't he?
To describe someone who is careful and thorough, without the negative connotation of being obsessive.
A na-adjective meaning methodical, meticulous, or punctilious. Often used positively to describe someone who is orderly and precise.
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 phrase meaning 'to notice small details'. Describes someone attentive and thorough.
彼女は細かいことに気がつくので、仕事が丁寧だ。
She notices small details, so her work is careful.
To describe a perfectionist in a critical way, implying they are too strict or obsessive.
A na-adjective meaning 'nervous' or 'high-strung', often used for someone who is overly sensitive to details and easily stressed.
彼は神経質で、ちょっとしたミスも許せない。
He's so fussy that he can't tolerate even a small mistake.
An i-adjective meaning 'too detailed' or 'overly meticulous'. Implies excessiveness.
あの上司は細かすぎて、部下が疲れてしまう。
That boss is too much of a perfectionist, and his subordinates get exhausted.
Describes someone who gets deeply absorbed in details and is never satisfied until it's perfect. Can be positive or negative depending on context.
To talk about perfectionism as a characteristic rather than labeling a person.
The noun 'perfectionism'. Use with verbs like 持っている (have) or だ (is).
彼は完璧主義の傾向がある。
He has perfectionist tendencies.
A common phrase meaning 'can't be satisfied unless it's perfect'. Describes the perfectionist mindset.
彼女は完璧でないと気が済まないタイプだ。
She's the type who isn't satisfied unless it's perfect.
完璧主義者 focuses on the pursuit of perfection, often with a nuance of being demanding or slow. 几帳面 emphasizes orderliness and attention to detail, usually in a positive light. Use 几帳面 for someone who is simply neat and methodical, and 完璧主義者 when the drive for flawlessness is central.
English often uses 'perfectionist' as an adjective (e.g., 'He is very perfectionist'). In Japanese, you cannot directly use 完璧主義者 as an adjective. Instead, use phrases like 完璧主義だ or 完璧を求める.
He's such a perfectionist that when he gets into a hobby, he forgets to sleep.