细致 (xì zhì) — delicate, fine (of workmanship, texture, detail… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Covers both senses: the fine/delicate quality of work or texture, and the meticulous, careful approach of a person. Stronger than 仔细 and 细心; 精致 is only for things (not people).

adjective

delicatefine (of workmanship, texture, detail)carefulmeticulouspainstaking (of a person's approach or work)

Examples

细致。
Zhè jiàn gōng yì pǐn de zuò gōng fēi cháng xì zhì.
The workmanship of this handicraft is very delicate.
细致，。
Tā gōng zuò hěn xì zhì, měi gè bù fen dōu zuò dé hěn hǎo.
He works very meticulously; every part is done well.
细致，。
Tā de yán jiū fēi cháng xì zhì, jié lùn hěn yǒu shuō fú lì.
Her research is very thorough, and the conclusions are convincing.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

致zhìcareful

细 (fine) and 致 (careful) together mean delicate and meticulous.

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 細; 细 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mì

Sound part声符shēngfú

囟

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 細 pairs 糸, silk or thread, with 囟 for the sound. The simplified 细 is a later shorthand, and the old right part changed shape.

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

至攵致

Meaning part形符xíngfú

攵Written in full as攴pū

Sound part声符shēngfú

至

至zhì致zhì

Same sound today

致 pairs 至, used for its sound, with 攵, written in full as 攴.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Personality & Traits Good & Bad

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