体贴入微 (tǐ tiē rù wēi) — to show the utmost consideration and care in every detail; thoughtful and solicitous down to the last detail

Definition

An idiom meaning to attend to someone's every need with great care and sensitivity. Use it for behavior, service, or a person whose attentiveness is exceptional.

idiom
to show the utmost consideration and care in every detailthoughtful and solicitous down to the last detail

Examples

  • 体贴入微，。
    Tā duì jiā rén fēi cháng tǐ tiē rù wēi, zǒng shì zhù yì dào měi gè rén de xū yào.
    She is deeply solicitous to her family, always noticing everyone's needs.
  • 体贴入微，。
    Jiǔ diàn de fú wù tǐ tiē rù wēi, ràng kè rén gǎn dào wú bǐ wēn nuǎn.
    The hotel's service is exceptionally thoughtful, making guests feel incredibly warm.
  • 体贴入微。
    Tā de tǐ tiē rù wēi ràng nǚ péng you fēi cháng gǎn dòng.
    His thoughtfulness made his girlfriend very touched.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 體; 体 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
骨骨gǔbone
Sound part声符shēngfú
豊
豊lǐ體tǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 體 pairs 骨 (bone) with 豊 as a sound part; this note is about 體, not about the parts of 体.

Open 体 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 貼; 贴 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
貝貝bèishell
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn貼tiē
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 貼 pairs 貝, a shell, with 占 as a sound part; the simplified 贴 is a later shorthand.

Open 贴 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

入 is drawn as an arrowhead, indicating 'to enter'.

Open 入 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The old form showed 𡵂 (a variant of 美, a person with long hair) and 攵 (a hand with a tool) splitting or combing hairs, hence minute; 微 later added 彳 to emphasize action.

Open 微 →

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