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细节 (xì jié) — details; particulars

Definition

细节 (xìjié) means 'details / particulars' — the small specific points of something. 内容 is broader: 'the content/substance' as a whole, while 细节 zooms in on the individual small points within it.

noun
detailsparticulars
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 细节。
    Zhè ge fāng àn hái yǒu hěn duō xì jié xū yào tǎo lùn.
    This plan still has many details that need discussion.
  • 细节。
    Tā hū lüè le bào gào zhōng yí gè zhòng yào de xì jié.
    He overlooked an important detail in the report.
  • 细节。
    Zuò shí yàn shí bì xū zhù yì měi yí gè xì jié.
    You must pay attention to every detail when doing experiments.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

细xìfine
节jiéjoint

细 (fine) and 节 (joint) suggest the smallest joints or parts, giving the sense of details.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 節; 节 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
⺮Written in full as竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
即
即jí節jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 節 pairs ⺮ (bamboo) with 即, which gives the sound; the bamboo part points to a node of bamboo. The simplified 节 is a later abbreviation.

Open 节 →
Appears in
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