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A2 adjective #3,000 most common 6 min read

仔细

zixi
At the A1 level, '仔细' (zǐxì) is a very useful word to learn for following basic instructions. Think of it as 'carefully.' When your teacher says '仔细看' (zǐxì kàn), they want you to look at the whiteboard or the book with focus. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that putting '仔细' before a verb like '看' (look), '听' (listen), or '读' (read) makes that action more focused. It is one of the first adjectives you will learn to describe how to do something well. You might use it when you are doing your homework or looking for your keys. It helps you express that you are trying hard to see or find something. It's a 'doing' word that shows you are a good student!
For A2 learners, '仔细' becomes more versatile. You can now use it to describe people as well as actions. For example, '他是一个很仔细的人' (He is a very careful person). This means he doesn't make many mistakes and pays attention to small things. You will also start to see it in common phrases like '仔细检查' (check carefully). This is very common in tests or when you are leaving the house and checking if you have your phone and wallet. At this level, you should start to notice the difference between '仔细' and '小心'. Remember: '小心' is for danger (like a hot cup of coffee), while '仔细' is for details (like reading the price on a menu).
At the B1 level, you should be able to use '仔细' in more professional or formal contexts. You might use it to describe how you analyzed a problem or how you are considering a suggestion: '我会仔细考虑你的建议' (I will carefully consider your suggestion). This shows a level of respect and seriousness in your communication. You can also use the reduplicated form '仔仔细细' to add emphasis in your writing or storytelling, making your descriptions more vivid. For example, '她仔仔细细地打扫了房间' (She cleaned the room extremely thoroughly). You are now moving beyond simple instructions to using the word to describe processes and personality traits in more detail.
By B2, you should understand the nuance of '仔细' compared to its near-synonyms like '细心' or '认真'. You can use '仔细' to discuss more abstract concepts, such as '仔细的分析' (a detailed analysis) or '仔细的观察' (careful observation) in a scientific or social context. You should be comfortable using it in written reports and formal emails. At this level, you can also use it to describe someone who is frugal or prudent with money, which is a common secondary meaning in Chinese culture. Your usage should reflect an understanding that '仔细' implies a systematic approach to a task, where every component is scrutinized for accuracy.
At the C1 level, '仔细' is part of a sophisticated toolkit for precise expression. You can use it to critique literature, analyze legal documents, or discuss complex theories. You might contrast '仔细' with more formal terms like '缜密' (meticulous logic) to show a high level of linguistic control. For example, you might say that while a plan was '仔细' (thorough), it lacked '缜密' (structural tightness). You should also be aware of the word's role in idiomatic expressions and how it functions in classical-leaning modern prose. Your ability to use '仔细' should now feel natural, allowing you to describe the 'granularity' of thought or action in high-level discussions.
For C2 learners, '仔细' is a word whose nuances you can manipulate for stylistic effect. You understand its historical roots and how it fits into the broader spectrum of Chinese virtues. You can use it to describe the subtle 'textures' of a situation—perhaps the way a diplomat '仔细' navigates a sensitive conversation. You are capable of using it in academic papers to describe methodology with perfect precision. At this level, you don't just 'know' the word; you feel its weight in a sentence, knowing exactly when to use it instead of '精细' (fine/exquisite) or '周密' (thorough/comprehensive) to achieve the perfect tone and clarity in your high-level discourse.
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

仔细 in 30 Seconds

  • 仔细 (zǐxì) means careful or attentive, focusing on the meticulous handling of details in tasks like checking, reading, or observing.
  • It is primarily used as an adverb (仔细看) or an adjective (很仔细), contrasting with '小心' which is for safety/danger.
  • The word is essential in academic and professional settings where precision is required to avoid errors or oversights.
  • It can also describe a person's character as being thorough or even frugal with resources in certain contexts.

The term 仔细 (zǐxì) is a foundational adjective in the Chinese language, primarily functioning to describe an action or a state of being that is marked by extreme care, attention to detail, and thoroughness. At its core, it suggests a process of 'zooming in' on a subject to ensure that no minute element is overlooked. Unlike general 'carefulness' which might imply safety (like 小心 xiǎoxīn), 仔细 specifically targets the meticulousness of an observation or a task. When you are 仔细, you are not just avoiding mistakes; you are actively seeking precision and completeness.

Etymological Breakdown
The character 仔 (zǐ) historically relates to offspring or small things that require nurturing, while 细 (xì) means fine, thin, or detailed. Together, they evoke the image of handling something small and delicate with the utmost precision.
Semantic Range
It spans from 'careful' in a physical sense (checking a document) to 'attentive' in a cognitive sense (listening to a lecture). It can also describe a person's personality trait—someone who is naturally frugal or prudent with resources.

“请仔细检查你的答案，不要漏掉任何一个小错误。”

— Common Teacher Instruction

In a broader philosophical context, 仔细 represents the Chinese cultural value of shì xì (事细), the idea that success is found in the mastery of small details. Whether it is a craftsman carving jade or a student preparing for the Gaokao, the quality of being 仔细 is what separates the amateur from the professional. It is the antithesis of mǎhu (马虎), which means being careless or sloppy. In modern usage, you will find it in professional contracts, medical advice, and daily reminders to be thorough in one's work.

Contextual Usage: The Audit

“审计员正在仔细核对每一笔账目。” (The auditor is carefully checking every single account entry.)

Visual Analogy
Think of a magnifying glass. Using a magnifying glass to look at a map is the physical embodiment of being 仔细. You aren't just looking at the map; you are examining the contour lines and the tiny names of villages.

Using 仔细 (zǐxì) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It functions primarily as an adjective, but its most common application in daily life is as an adverbial modifier. To master its use, one must look at how it interacts with verbs, nouns, and degree intensifiers.

1. As an Adverbial Modifier

When 仔细 modifies a verb, it describes the manner in which the action is performed. The structure is usually [仔细 (+ 地) + Verb]. For example, 仔细听 (zǐxì tīng) means 'listen carefully.' In formal writing, '地' is preferred, but in casual speech, '仔细听' is perfectly acceptable.

Example: 你需要仔细阅读这份合同。

(You need to read this contract carefully.)

2. As a Predicate Adjective

It can describe a person's character or the nature of a task. When describing a person, it means they are meticulous. The structure is [Subject + 很/非常 + 仔细]. For example, 他办事很仔细 (Tā bànshì hěn zǐxì) means 'He is very careful in his work.'

3. Reduplication for Emphasis

In informal or endearing contexts, 仔细 can be reduplicated to 仔仔细细 (zǐ zǐ xì xì). This intensifies the meaning, suggesting an even higher degree of thoroughness. For instance, 把屋子仔仔细细地打扫一遍 (Clean the room extremely thoroughly).

Common Verb Pairings
仔细观察 (Observe carefully), 仔细考虑 (Consider carefully), 仔细检查 (Check carefully), 仔细寻找 (Search carefully).

You will encounter 仔细 (zǐxì) in a variety of high-stakes and everyday environments. Because it relates to precision, it is a staple of professional and educational discourse.

1. The Academic Environment

Teachers are perhaps the most frequent users of this word. From primary school to university, the instruction to 'check your work' is almost always phrased using 仔细. You'll hear it during exam invigilation: “请大家仔细检查姓名和准考证号。” (Please carefully check your name and exam ID number.)

“做数学题一定要仔细，一个小点错了答案就全错了。”

2. The Professional Workplace

In offices, particularly in legal, accounting, or engineering sectors, 仔细 is a prerequisite. Managers will use it when delegating tasks that involve data or documentation. “这份报告很重要，请仔细核对数据。” (This report is important; please carefully verify the data.)

3. Medical and Scientific Contexts

Doctors use it when instructing patients on how to take medication or when describing their own diagnostic process. A scientist might describe their methodology as 仔细的实验 (a meticulous experiment). It implies a scientific rigor that '小心' does not capture.

Media Usage
In news broadcasts, reporters might say, '警方正在仔细调查事故原因' (The police are carefully investigating the cause of the accident).

While 仔细 (zǐxì) seems straightforward, learners often confuse it with other words related to 'care' or 'seriousness.' Understanding these nuances is key to achieving fluency.

1. 仔细 vs. 小心 (xiǎoxīn)

This is the most frequent error. 小心 is about safety and avoiding danger. 仔细 is about detail and thoroughness. If you are walking on ice, you need to be 小心. If you are reading a map to find your way on that ice, you need to be 仔细.

❌ Incorrect: 仔细！路很滑！ (Careful! The road is slippery!)

✅ Correct: 小心！路很滑！

2. 仔细 vs. 认真 (rènzhēn)

认真 means 'serious' or 'conscientious.' It describes an attitude. 仔细 describes the method. You can be 认真 (serious about your studies) without being 仔细 (you might still make small typos because you aren't looking closely enough). Conversely, you can be 仔细 about a specific task without necessarily having a 认真 attitude toward your overall career.

3. Overusing '地'

While '仔细地' is grammatically correct, overusing it in casual conversation can make you sound like a textbook. Native speakers often omit '地' when the verb is a single syllable, like '仔细看' or '仔细听'.

To truly enrich your vocabulary, you should understand where 仔细 (zǐxì) sits among its synonyms. Each of these words carries a slightly different 'flavor' of carefulness.

1. 细心 (xìxīn)
This is very close to 仔细 but focuses more on being thoughtful or considerate. A 细心 person remembers their friend's allergies. A 仔细 person checks the ingredients list on the package three times.
2. 缜密 (zhěnmì)
This is a more formal, literary term. It describes meticulous logic or a flawless plan. You would use this for a detective's reasoning or a complex scientific theory. It is '仔细' on an intellectual, structural level.
3. 严谨 (yánjǐn)
This means rigorous or strict. It is often used to describe academic style or professional standards. If a scholar is 严谨, they follow every rule and cite every source perfectly.

Synonym Comparison Table

WordNuanceBest For...
仔细Thorough/DetailedGeneral tasks, checking
细心Attentive/CaringInterpersonal, small details
缜密Meticulous/TightLogic, planning, thinking

By choosing the right word, you can convey whether you are being careful to avoid a mistake (仔细), careful to be kind (细心), or careful to be logically sound (缜密).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

1

请仔细看黑板。

Please look at the blackboard carefully.

仔细 + Verb (look)

2

你要仔细听老师说话。

You need to listen to the teacher carefully.

仔细 + Verb (listen)

3

他写字很仔细。

He writes characters very carefully.

Subject + 很 + 仔细

4

仔细找找你的书。

Look for your book carefully.

仔细 + Verb (find)

5

请仔细读这一段。

Please read this paragraph carefully.

仔细 + Verb (read)

6

妈妈做事很仔细。

Mom does things very carefully.

Subject + 做事 + 很 + 仔细

7

仔细看，这有两个苹果。

Look carefully, there are two apples here.

仔细 + Verb as an instruction

8

我们要仔细检查作业。

We need to check our homework carefully.

仔细 + Verb (check)

1

他是一个很仔细的医生。

He is a very attentive doctor.

仔细 as an adjective modifying a noun

2

请仔细检查你的钱包在不在。

Please carefully check if your wallet is there.

仔细 + 检查 (check)

3

过马路要仔细看车。

Look for cars carefully when crossing the road.

仔细 + 看 (look)

4

这件衣服的做工很仔细。

The workmanship of this clothing is very meticulous.

仔细 describing quality

5

他仔细地洗了每一个水果。

He carefully washed every single fruit.

仔细 + 地 + Verb

6

请仔细听录音，然后回答问题。

Please listen to the recording carefully, then answer the questions.

仔细 + 听 (listen)

7

你需要仔细阅读说明书。

You need to read the instruction manual carefully.

仔细 + 阅读 (read)

8

她算账算得很仔细。

She calculates the accounts very carefully.

Verb + 得 + 很仔细 (complement of degree)

1

我会仔细考虑你的建议再做决定。

I will carefully consider your suggestion before making a decision.

仔细 + 考虑 (consider)

2

警察仔细查看了现场的每一个角落。

The police carefully examined every corner of the scene.

仔细 + 查看 (examine)

3

这篇文章需要仔细修改一下。

This article needs to be carefully revised.

仔细 + 修改 (revise)

4

他过日子很仔细，从不乱花钱。

He lives very frugally and never spends money recklessly.

仔细 meaning 'frugal/prudent'

5

请仔细对比这两张照片的不同之处。

Please carefully compare the differences between these two photos.

仔细 + 对比 (compare)

6

她仔仔细细地把信读了三遍。

She read the letter three times, extremely carefully.

Reduplicated form 仔仔细细

7

面试时，考官会仔细观察你的表现。

During the interview, the examiners will carefully observe your performance.

仔细 + 观察 (observe)

8

我们需要仔细研究一下这个新项目。

We need to study this new project carefully.

仔细 + 研究 (study/research)

1

科学家们正在仔细分析实验数据。

Scientists are carefully analyzing the experimental data.

仔细 + 分析 (analyze)

2

在签署合同之前，请务必仔细阅读条款。

Before signing the contract, please be sure to read the terms carefully.

仔细 + 阅读 (read) in a formal context

3

他的观察力非常敏锐，观察得很仔细。

His powers of observation are very sharp; he observes very carefully.

Complement of degree structure

4

这篇文章对细节的描写非常仔细。

The description of details in this article is very meticulous.

仔细 describing literary detail

5

我们要仔细评估这个计划的风险。

We need to carefully evaluate the risks of this plan.

仔细 + 评估 (evaluate)

6

他仔细地把零件组装在一起。

He carefully assembled the parts together.

仔细 + 地 + 组装 (assemble)

7

通过仔细的调查，真相终于大白了。

Through careful investigation, the truth finally came to light.

仔细 as an adjective modifying 'investigation'

8

她对工作的态度一向非常仔细。

Her attitude toward work has always been very meticulous.

仔细 describing professional attitude

1

学者对这本古籍进行了仔细的考证。

The scholar conducted a meticulous textual research on this ancient book.

仔细 + 考证 (textual research)

2

辩护律师仔细寻找着控方证据中的漏洞。

The defense lawyer carefully searched for loopholes in the prosecution's evidence.

仔细 + 寻找 (search) in a legal context

3

这种精密仪器的制造过程极其仔细。

The manufacturing process of this precision instrument is extremely meticulous.

仔细 describing industrial precision

4

我们需要仔细甄别这些信息的真伪。

We need to carefully discern the authenticity of this information.

仔细 + 甄别 (discern/screen)

5

他仔细揣摩着领导那番话的深层含义。

He carefully pondered the deeper meaning of the leader's words.

仔细 + 揣摩 (ponder/try to figure out)

6

艺术评论家仔细品味着画作中的每一处笔触。

The art critic carefully savored every brushstroke in the painting.

仔细 + 品味 (savor/appreciate)

7

在制定政策时，必须仔细权衡各方利益。

When formulating policies, one must carefully weigh the interests of all parties.

仔细 + 权衡 (weigh/balance)

8

他仔细梳理了历史事件的脉络。

He carefully sorted out the threads of historical events.

仔细 + 梳理 (sort out/combing)

1

作者以极其仔细的笔触勾勒出人物的内心世界。

The author sketched the character's inner world with extremely meticulous brushstrokes.

Metaphorical use of 'brushstrokes' for writing

2

我们要仔细审视当代社会中潜藏的伦理危机。

We must carefully scrutinize the latent ethical crises in contemporary society.

仔细 + 审视 (scrutinize)

3

这篇论文对古典哲学命题进行了仔细的辨析。

This thesis conducted a careful analysis and differentiation of classical philosophical propositions.

仔细 + 辨析 (analyze and differentiate)

4

在处理外交纠纷时，每一个字眼都需仔细斟酌。

When handling diplomatic disputes, every single word must be carefully weighed.

仔细 + 斟酌 (deliberate/weigh)

5

他仔细捕捉着市场波动中微弱的信号。

He carefully captured the faint signals within the market fluctuations.

仔细 + 捕捉 (capture)

6

通过仔细的推演，数学家证明了这个复杂的猜想。

Through careful deduction, the mathematician proved this complex conjecture.

仔细 + 推演 (deduction/derivation)

7

她仔细剥离了表象，直击问题的核心。

She carefully stripped away the appearances and struck at the core of the problem.

Metaphorical use of 'stripping away'

8

这种工艺要求工匠具备仔细入微的观察力。

This craft requires the artisan to possess observation skills that are meticulous to the finest detail.

仔细入微 (idiomatic expression)

Common Collocations

仔细检查 (check carefully)
仔细阅读 (read carefully)
仔细考虑 (consider carefully)
仔细观察 (observe carefully)
仔细听 (listen carefully)
仔细分析 (analyze carefully)
仔细核对 (verify carefully)
仔细寻找 (search carefully)
非常仔细 (very careful)
不够仔细 (not careful enough)

Common Phrases

仔细一点 (be a bit more careful)

仔仔细细 (very, very carefully)

做事仔细 (do things carefully)

观察仔细 (observe meticulously)

算得很仔细 (calculate very carefully)

仔细看一看 (take a careful look)

仔细想一想 (think about it carefully)

仔细研究 (study carefully)

仔细对比 (compare carefully)

仔细评估 (evaluate carefully)

Often Confused With

仔细 vs 小心

小心 is for avoiding danger; 仔细 is for attending to detail.

仔细 vs 认真

认真 is about attitude/seriousness; 仔细 is about meticulousness/method.

仔细 vs 细心

细心 is often about being thoughtful or considerate of others.

Idioms & Expressions

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Easily Confused

仔细 vs

仔细 vs

仔细 vs

仔细 vs

仔细 vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

仔细 focuses on the granularity of the action.

antonym usage

The opposite is '马虎' (mǎhu), which is a very common pairing in teaching.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 仔细 as a warning for danger.
  • Forgetting the 3rd tone on 'zǐ'.
  • Using 仔细 when 详细 (detailed information) is meant.
  • Confusing 仔细 with 认真 in academic contexts.
  • Overusing '地' in very short, casual sentences.

Tips

Adverbial Use

Put 仔细 before the verb to describe how the action is done. Example: 仔细看.

Contrast with 小心

Remember: 仔细 = Detail, 小心 = Danger. Don't mix them up!

Reduplication

Use '仔仔细细' to sound more expressive and native-like.

Formal Contexts

In essays, use '仔细' to describe your research or observation process.

Positive Trait

Being called '仔细' is a great compliment in a Chinese workplace.

Tone Check

Focus on the 3rd tone of 'zǐ'. It's the key to being understood.

Exam Tip

When you see '仔细' on a test paper, it's a hint to look for traps!

Magnifying Glass

Associate '仔细' with a magnifying glass in your mind.

仔细 vs 认真

Think: 认真 is the heart, 仔细 is the eyes.

Common Verbs

Memorize the 'Big 4': 仔细看, 仔细听, 仔细检查, 仔细考虑.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Compound of 仔 (small/child/meticulous) and 细 (fine/thin).

Cultural Context

The word is most commonly heard in the context of Gaokao preparation.

In some dialects, '仔细' can mean being stingy or very frugal with money.

Used to praise high-quality handmade goods.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你觉得你是一个仔细的人吗？"

"在工作中，哪些地方需要特别仔细？"

"你考试的时候会仔细检查吗？"

"买东西时，你会仔细看说明书吗？"

"你觉得仔细和认真有什么区别？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次因为不够仔细而犯的错误。

写一写你认识的最仔细的人。

为什么在学习汉语时需要仔细？

如果你很仔细地观察你的房间，你会发现什么新东西？

讨论一下‘仔细’在科学研究中的重要性。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use '小心' (xiǎoxīn) for physical danger or warnings.

It is almost always positive, meaning thorough and attentive. Occasionally, it can mean 'stingy' in a slightly negative way, but this is less common.

认真 means serious/earnest (attitude). 仔细 means careful/meticulous (method). You can be serious but still miss a detail.

You can say '很仔细', '非常仔细', or '仔仔细细'.

Yes, '他是一个仔细的人' means he is a meticulous person.

Yes, in some contexts, especially in older or regional usage, it means being very careful with money.

In formal writing, yes. In casual speech, it is often omitted.

The most common opposites are '马虎' (mǎhu) or '粗心' (cūxīn).

Usually, '详细' (xiángxì) is better for 'detailed' as a description of content, while '仔细' is for the action of looking at it.

Yes, it is a core word for HSK 2/3 and CEFR A2 learners.

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