细致入微 (xì zhì rù wēi) — (idiom) meticulous, thorough, paying attention to every detail

Definition

A four-character idiom meaning 'meticulous down to the finest detail' — stronger and more literary than plain 细致. Use it to praise work (reports, observation, craft) that attends to the tiniest points.

idiom
meticulousthoroughpaying attention to every detail

Examples

  • 细致入微，。
    Tā de guān chá xì zhì rù wēi, lián zuì wēi xiǎo de biàn huà dōu zhù yì dào le.
    His observation is meticulous; he even noticed the tiniest changes.
  • 细致入微，。
    Zhè wèi huà jiā duì xì jié de chǔ lǐ xì zhì rù wēi, měi yì bǐ dōu qià dào hǎo chù.
    This painter handles details with great care, every stroke is just right.
  • 细致入微，。
    Bào gào xiě dé xì zhì rù wēi, shù jù fēn xī hé jiàn yì dōu fēi cháng quán miàn.
    The report is written meticulously; the data analysis and recommendations are very comprehensive.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

细致meticulous
细xìfine致zhìdelicate
联合Side by side
入微enter subtleties
入rùenter微wēisubtle
动宾Verb + object

The sense combines 细致 (fine and delicate) with 入微 (entering the subtle), giving meticulous attention to every detail.

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
囟xìn細xì
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.

Open 细 →

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

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.

Open 致 →

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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