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B2 adverb 10 min de leitura

一丝不苟

yisibugou

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas 一丝不苟 em 30 segundos

Explicação 一丝不苟 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the idiom '一丝不苟' yet, but you should understand its basic meaning: 'very, very careful.' Think of it as '100% careful.' When you do your homework and check every word to make sure there are no mistakes, that is the spirit of this word. In English, we might say 'careful' or 'serious.' In Chinese, you already know '认真' (rèn zhēn), which means 'serious.' '一丝不苟' is just a much stronger and more formal version of '认真.' Even at this level, it's good to know that Chinese has special four-character phrases for strong feelings. If your teacher says you are '一丝不苟,' it means you are a perfect student who never makes small mistakes!

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For A2 learners, '一丝不苟' is a great way to expand your vocabulary beyond basic adjectives. While '认真' (serious) and '小心' (careful) are your go-to words, '一丝不苟' allows you to describe someone's work ethic more precisely. You can use it in simple sentences like '他做事一丝不苟' (He does things very carefully). At this level, focus on the first two characters: '一丝' (one thread). It helps you visualize that not even a tiny thread is wrong. This makes the word easy to remember. You will likely see this word in reading passages about famous people or good workers. It is a very positive word, so use it when you want to praise someone's high-quality work.

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At the B1 level, you should begin to use '一丝不苟' in your writing and speaking, especially when discussing jobs, hobbies, or studies. You should understand that it functions as an idiom (Chengyu). You can start using it with the particle '地' (de) to describe how someone performs an action: '他一丝不苟地检查作业' (He meticulously checked the homework). You should also be able to distinguish it from '认真.' While '认真' is about your attitude, '一丝不苟' is about the *detail* of the result. For example, if you are serious (认真) but still make a mistake, you weren't '一丝不苟.' This distinction is important for B1 learners who are starting to express more complex ideas about professional standards.

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B2 is the target level for mastering '一丝不苟.' You should be able to use it fluently in professional contexts, such as writing a resume, a cover letter, or a performance review. You should understand its formal register and know that it is most appropriate for 'high-stakes' situations like science, law, or engineering. At this level, you should also be familiar with its synonyms like '精益求精' (striving for perfection) and antonyms like '马马虎虎' (careless). You should be able to use it in different grammatical structures, such as '做事一丝不苟' (meticulous in doing things) or '一丝不苟的精神' (a meticulous spirit). You should also understand its historical context as a phrase that represents the traditional Chinese value of craftsmanship and rigor.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep appreciation for the nuance '一丝不苟' brings to a sentence. You should be able to use it to describe abstract concepts like '治学一丝不苟' (meticulous in scholarship) or '执法一丝不苟' (meticulous in law enforcement). You should be comfortable using it in formal speeches and academic writing. You should also be able to recognize when it is being used ironically or for emphasis in literature. C1 learners should understand the etymological roots of '苟' (negligent/careless) and how it appears in other words like '苟且' (careless/perfunctory). Your use of this idiom should feel natural and appropriately timed, showing that you understand the cultural weight of 'precision' in Chinese professional life.

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For C2 speakers, '一丝不苟' is part of a broad repertoire of idioms used to describe human behavior and ethics. You should be able to discuss the evolution of the term from the 'Book of Han' and compare it with similar idioms from other historical periods. You should be able to use it in sophisticated rhetorical structures, such as '虽...但一丝不苟' (Although..., yet still meticulous). You can use it to critique or analyze the 'Craftsman Spirit' in modern Chinese industry. At this level, you don't just 'use' the word; you understand its place in the linguistic hierarchy of Chinese idioms. You can use it to provide high-level feedback or to write literary critiques where the precision of an author's language is being discussed.

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一丝不苟 em 30 segundos

A four-character idiom meaning 'meticulous' or 'not a bit careless.'
Used to praise high-quality work and extreme attention to detail.
Common in professional, academic, and artistic contexts in China.
Literally translates to 'not even a single thread is handled negligently.'

The Chinese idiom 一丝不苟 (yī sī bù gǒu) is a cornerstone of Chinese professional and personal ethics. At its most literal level, the phrase breaks down into four characters: yī (one), sī (thread or silk), bù (not), and gǒu (careless or negligent). Together, they paint a vivid picture of a person who does not allow even a single thread of error to enter their work. This isn't just about being 'careful'; it describes a profound level of meticulousness, precision, and conscientiousness that borders on perfectionism. In modern Chinese society, this term is overwhelmingly positive, used to praise individuals who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to quality and detail, whether they are scientists, artists, craftsmen, or students.

Literal Translation: Not even a single thread is handled carelessly.
Core Concept: Extreme attention to detail and a refusal to be sloppy in any capacity.

他在工作中总是一丝不苟，深受同事们的尊敬。(He is always meticulous in his work and is deeply respected by his colleagues.)

You will encounter this word most frequently in performance reviews, academic evaluations, and descriptions of historical figures known for their rigorous standards. For instance, a watchmaker assembling thousands of tiny gears or a surgeon performing a delicate operation would be described as working yī sī bù gǒu. It is a state of mind where the 'small things' are treated with the same importance as the 'big things.' In a world that often values speed over quality, calling someone yī sī bù gǒu is one of the highest compliments you can pay to their work ethic.

这位老教授对学术研究的态度一丝不苟。(This old professor's attitude toward academic research is meticulous.)

Historically, the term originates from the 'Book of Han,' where it was used to describe officials who followed the law and protocols to the letter. This historical weight gives the word a sense of dignity and gravitas. It is not used for trivial matters like cleaning your room (unless you are doing it with surgical precision), but rather for tasks where accuracy is paramount to success or safety.

Professional Context: Used for engineering, auditing, legal work, and scientific experimentation.

工程师一丝不苟地检查着飞机的每一个零件。(The engineer meticulously checked every single part of the airplane.)

她画画的时候总是一丝不苟，连最细微的线条都不放过。(When she paints, she is always meticulous, not letting even the finest lines escape her notice.)

Social Connotation: Implies reliability and trustworthiness. A person who is 'yī sī bù gǒu' is someone you can depend on for high-stakes tasks.

会计在核对账目时必须做到一丝不苟。(Accountants must be meticulous when checking accounts.)

Mastering the use of 一丝不苟 involves understanding its flexibility as both an adverb and a predicative adjective. Unlike many English adverbs that require '-ly', this Chinese idiom can be integrated into sentences in several distinct ways. Most commonly, it precedes a verb to describe the manner of an action, or it follows a subject to describe a person's character or attitude. It is rarely used to describe objects themselves, but rather the human effort directed toward them.

Structure 1: Subject + Adverbial + Verb: Subject + 一丝不苟地 + Verb (Action). This is the most standard way to describe 'doing something meticulously.'

他一丝不苟地完成了报告。(He completed the report meticulously.)

When using the idiom as a character trait, the particle '地' (de) is omitted. This identifies the person as having a meticulous nature. This is common in descriptions of experts or role models. In this context, it often follows words like '做事' (doing things) or '态度' (attitude).

Structure 2: Subject + 做事 + 一丝不苟: This emphasizes the consistent habit of the person. 'He does things meticulously.'

他的父亲一辈子做事都一丝不苟。(His father has been meticulous in everything he does his whole life.)

Another nuanced way to use this idiom is in the 'Degree Complement' structure. This is slightly more formal and emphasizes the result of the meticulousness. For example, 'He checked it so meticulously that...'

Structure 3: Verb + 得 + 一丝不苟: Verb + 得 (de) + 一丝不苟. This focuses on the quality of the action performed.

这篇文章写得一丝不苟。(This article is written meticulously.)

It is important to remember that 一丝不苟 is a formal idiom. While you can use it in daily speech, it carries a weight of respect. Using it to describe someone's hobby (like playing a video game) might sound slightly ironic or humorous unless the person is truly treating the hobby with professional-level rigor. It is most effective when describing 'serious' pursuits like medicine, law, engineering, and scholarship.

他对待工作的态度一丝不苟，从不马虎。(His attitude towards work is meticulous; he is never careless.)

Negation: To say someone is NOT meticulous, we usually don't negate the idiom directly (like '不一丝不苟'). Instead, we use antonyms like '马马虎虎' (mǎ mǎ hū hū) or '粗心大意' (cū xīn dà yì).

我们要学习他那种一丝不苟的科学精神。(We should learn from his meticulous scientific spirit.)

In the real world, 一丝不苟 is a high-frequency idiom in professional and educational settings. You will hear it during graduation speeches, workplace commendations, and in news reports describing high-stakes engineering projects like space missions or high-speed rail construction. It is the gold standard for describing the 'Craftsman Spirit' (工匠精神 - gōngjiàng jīngshén) that is highly promoted in modern Chinese culture. If you are in a meeting and a manager says your work is yī sī bù gǒu, you have succeeded in impressing them with your reliability.

Scenario 1: The Workplace: Managers use it to praise employees who never make 'silly mistakes' (low-level errors) in their reports or code.

张经理对员工的要求非常严格，凡事都要求做到一丝不苟。(Manager Zhang has very strict requirements for his employees; he requires everything to be done meticulously.)

In the academic world, teachers use this phrase to encourage students to double-check their exam papers or to describe the rigor of a famous scientist's research methods. It's often paired with '治学' (zhì xué), which means to pursue scholarship. A '治学一丝不苟' professor is one who checks every footnote and verifies every source personally. You might also hear it in documentaries about historical artifacts or traditional crafts, like tea-making or porcelain firing, where the narrator emphasizes the master's attention to detail.

Scenario 2: Media and News: News anchors use it when reporting on complex operations, such as the assembly of a space station or the restoration of ancient relics.

修复专家们一丝不苟地清理着文物上的尘土。(The restoration experts meticulously cleaned the dust off the cultural relics.)

You may also hear it in daily life when someone is being particularly careful about a personal project, like building a model airplane or organizing a large-scale event. It conveys a sense of admiration for their dedication. In movies or TV dramas, it's a common trait for 'wise mentor' characters or 'brilliant but strict' professionals. It establishes a character as being disciplined and high-achieving.

Scenario 3: Art and Craft: Describing a calligrapher's brushstrokes or a chef's plating.

这位厨师对摆盘的要求一丝不苟。(This chef is meticulous about the plating of the dishes.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 一丝不苟 is overusing it in low-stakes situations. Because it is a high-level idiom, using it to describe something trivial—like 'He brushed his teeth meticulously'—can sound unintentionally funny or dramatic. While not grammatically 'wrong,' it violates the register of the word. Another mistake is confusing it with synonyms that have slightly different nuances, such as jīng益求精 (constantly improving) or jǐn xiǎo shèn wēi (overly cautious/timid).

Mistake 1: Misinterpreting 'Gǒu' (苟): Some learners mistake 'gǒu' (careless) for 'gǒu' (dog), which are homophones. This can lead to total confusion! Remember, 'gǒu' here means negligence.

Incorrect: 他写作业很认真，真是个一丝不狗的人。(He writes homework seriously, he's a 'one thread no dog' person.)
Correct: 他写作业一丝不苟。(He is meticulous in his homework.)

Another frequent error is the incorrect placement of the particle '地' (de). While '一丝不苟' can be used as an adverb with '地', it is often used as a predicate without it. Learners sometimes force '地' into every sentence where it acts as a description, making the sentence feel clunky. For example, when describing a person's character, '他一丝不苟' is better than '他一丝不苟地'.

Furthermore, learners often fail to distinguish yī sī bù gǒu from 认真 (rèn zhēn). While all yī sī bù gǒu behavior is rèn zhēn, not all rèn zhēn behavior is yī sī bù gǒu. 'Rèn zhēn' is about attitude (being serious), whereas 'yī sī bù gǒu' is about the *result* and the *precision* of the work. If you are 'rèn zhēn' but still make a tiny typo, you are no longer 'yī sī bù gǒu'.

Mistake 2: Negative Connotation: Sometimes learners use it to mean 'pedantic' or 'obsessive.' In Chinese, yī sī bù gǒu is almost always a compliment. If you want to say someone is annoyingly obsessed with details, you might use '吹毛求疵' (chuī máo qiú cī - finding fault with everything).

他这人太一丝不苟了，连这种小错都要骂我。(He is too meticulous; he scolds me even for such small mistakes.) (Note: Here, the speaker is using a positive word to complain, which sounds slightly contradictory.)

Finally, avoid using it to describe people's appearance (like 'he looks meticulous') unless you mean their grooming is perfect. It is primarily about the way things are done, not the way things look.

Chinese is rich with idioms describing work ethic and precision. Knowing the subtle differences between 一丝不苟 and its alternatives will help you sound more like a native speaker. While yī sī bù gǒu focuses on the absence of carelessness, other words focus on the pursuit of excellence or the fear of making mistakes. Understanding these registers is key to B2-level proficiency.

一丝不苟 vs. 认真 (rèn zhēn): '认真' is the general word for 'serious' or 'earnest.' It can be used for any level of effort. '一丝不苟' is a higher-level idiom specifically for high-precision tasks.
一丝不苟 vs. 精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng): '精益求精' means 'to constantly improve upon what is already excellent.' It describes a process of continuous improvement, whereas '一丝不苟' describes a current state of zero-error performance.

他在工作中不仅能做到一丝不苟，还总是追求精益求精。(In his work, he is not only meticulous but also constantly strives for perfection.)

Another common synonym is jīng jīng yè yè (兢兢业业), which describes being cautious, conscientious, and dedicated to one's duties. However, jīng jīng yè yè often carries a sense of 'hard work' and 'fear of failing in one's responsibility,' while yī sī bù gǒu is more about the 'technical precision' of the task itself.

一丝不苟 vs. 兢兢业业 (jīng jīng yè yè): '兢兢业业' focuses on the *dedication* and *caution* of the worker over a long period. '一丝不苟' focuses on the *detail* of the specific task at hand.

On the negative side, jǐn xiǎo shèn wēi (谨小慎微) is often used to describe someone who is so careful about small things that they become timid or lack a big-picture perspective. In contrast, yī sī bù gǒu is always seen as a positive strength. If you want to criticize someone for being 'too' careful in a way that slows things down, jǐn xiǎo shèn wēi is the word you need.

一丝不苟 vs. 谨小慎微 (jǐn xiǎo shèn wēi): '一丝不苟' is positive (meticulous). '谨小慎微' is often negative (overly cautious/timid).

虽然他做事一丝不苟，但有时显得有些谨小慎微，不敢尝试新事物。(Although he is meticulous in his work, he sometimes seems overly cautious and afraid to try new things.)

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The 'sī' (thread) in the idiom refers to a single strand of silk, which is incredibly thin. This visual metaphor highlights just how small the detail is that the person refuses to ignore.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /jiː siː bʊ ɡoʊ/

US /ji si bu ɡoʊ/

Primary stress on the first and fourth syllables in rhythmic speech.

Rima com

一丝不扣 (yī sī bù kòu) 一笔勾销 (yī bǐ gōu xiāo) - partial 不屈不挠 (bù qū bù náo) - partial 一丝不苟 (itself) 狗 (gǒu) 久 (jiǔ) 口 (kǒu) 走 (zǒu)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'gǒu' as 'gǒu' (dog) with too much emphasis on the animal meaning.
Failing to change the tone of 'bù' (it becomes 2nd tone before a 4th tone, but here 'gǒu' is 3rd tone, so 'bù' stays 4th tone).
Confusing the 's' in 'sī' with a 'sh' sound.
Merging 'yī' and 'sī' into one sound.
Incorrectly dipping the tone of 'bù'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 4/5

Requires knowledge of classical characters like '苟'.

Escrita 5/5

Writing '苟' and '丝' correctly requires practice.

Expressão oral 3/5

The tones are straightforward but need rhythmic balance.

Audição 3/5

Easy to recognize once the 'yī sī' start is heard.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

认真 (rèn zhēn) 小心 (xiǎo xīn) 不 (bù) 一 (yī) 做事 (zuò shì)

Aprenda a seguir

精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng) 兢兢业业 (jīng jīng yè yè) 废寝忘食 (fèi qǐn wàng shí) 持之以恒 (chí zhī yǐ héng) 半途而废 (bàn tú ér fèi)

Avançado

谨小慎微 (jǐn xiǎo shèn wēi) 吹毛求疵 (chuī máo qiú cī) 严丝合缝 (yán sī hé fèng) 不折不扣 (bù zhé bù kòu)

Gramática essencial

Idioms as Predicates

他做事[一丝不苟]。(Subject + Predicate)

Adverbial '地'

他[一丝不苟地]检查作业。(Idiom + 地 + Verb)

Attributive '的'

[一丝不苟的]精神值得学习。(Idiom + 的 + Noun)

Degree Complement '得'

他画得[一丝不苟]。(Verb + 得 + Idiom)

Tone Sandhi of 'yī'

yī (1st tone) changes to 4th tone (yì) before 1st, 2nd, and 3rd tones. In 'yī sī', 'sī' is 1st tone, so 'yī' is pronounced 4th tone (yì).

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Exemplos por nível

他写作业一丝不苟。

He writes his homework very, very carefully.

Here, it acts like a strong adjective describing the subject.

老师做事一丝不苟。

The teacher does things meticulously.

Subject + 做事 + 一丝不苟 is a common pattern.

妈妈做饭一丝不苟。

Mom cooks with great care.

Describes the manner in which an everyday task is done.

他是一个一丝不苟的人。

He is a meticulous person.

Used with '的人' to describe a person's character.

医生检查身体一丝不苟。

The doctor checks the body meticulously.

Shows the idiom used in a professional context.

你要一丝不苟地看书。

You should read the book very carefully.

Using '地' to make it an adverb.

他的房间收拾得一丝不苟。

His room is tidied up meticulously.

Verb + 得 + 一丝不苟 (Degree complement).

科学家实验一丝不苟。

The scientist is meticulous in experiments.

Simple subject-predicate structure.

他对待学习的态度一丝不苟。

His attitude toward studying is meticulous.

Focuses on '态度' (attitude).

这位画家画画一丝不苟。

This painter paints meticulously.

Describes a skill/action.

我们要学习他一丝不苟的精神。

We should learn from his meticulous spirit.

Used as an adjective for '精神' (spirit).

会计核对账目一丝不苟。

The accountant checks the accounts meticulously.

Professional context: accounting.

他打扫卫生一丝不苟。

He cleans up meticulously.

Describes the quality of cleaning.

这篇文章写得一丝不苟。

This article is written meticulously.

Degree complement using '得'.

爷爷修理钟表一丝不苟。

Grandpa repairs watches meticulously.

Describes a delicate craft.

他穿衣服总是那么一丝不苟。

He always dresses so meticulously.

Can describe personal grooming/appearance.

为了保证安全，工程师一丝不苟地检查每一个零件。

To ensure safety, the engineer meticulously checked every single part.

Complex sentence with a purpose clause.

他在处理文件时，从来都是一丝不苟的。

When handling documents, he has always been meticulous.

Using '从来都是...的' for emphasis.

不论做什么，他都要求自己做到一丝不苟。

No matter what he does, he requires himself to be meticulous.

Using '不论...都' structure.

这种一丝不苟的工作作风值得我们每一个人学习。

This meticulous work style is worth learning for every one of us.

Modifying the noun '工作作风' (work style).

她在这项科学研究中表现出了一丝不苟的态度。

She showed a meticulous attitude in this scientific research.

Verb + 出了 + Adj + 的 + Noun.

如果不一丝不苟地执行计划，任务就无法完成。

If the plan is not executed meticulously, the task cannot be completed.

Conditional '如果...就' with the idiom.

因为他做事一丝不苟，老板非常信任他。

Because he does things meticulously, the boss trusts him very much.

Causal '因为...所以' structure.

哪怕是一个标点符号，他都会一丝不苟地修改。

Even if it's just a punctuation mark, he will modify it meticulously.

Using '哪怕...都' for extreme emphasis.

这种一丝不苟的工匠精神是现代工业的灵魂。

This meticulous craftsman spirit is the soul of modern industry.

Abstract noun modification: '工匠精神' (craftsman spirit).

他治学严谨，一丝不苟，在学术界享有盛誉。

He is rigorous and meticulous in his scholarship, enjoying a high reputation in academia.

Idiom used alongside '治学严谨' to describe academic rigor.

在手术台上，医生必须做到一丝不苟，不能有半点马虎。

On the operating table, doctors must be meticulous and cannot be the least bit careless.

Contrast between '一丝不苟' and '马虎'.

他那双一丝不苟的眼睛，仿佛能看穿所有的错误。

Those meticulous eyes of his seemed as if they could see through all errors.

Metaphorical use describing a person's gaze.

面对复杂的法律条文，律师必须一丝不苟地进行分析。

Facing complex legal clauses, lawyers must analyze them meticulously.

Context: Legal profession.

正是这种一丝不苟的态度，让他避免了许多潜在的危机。

It is exactly this meticulous attitude that allowed him to avoid many potential crises.

Emphatic '正是...让' structure.

他工作起来一丝不苟，甚至到了吹毛求疵的地步。

He is so meticulous in his work that it even reaches the point of nitpicking.

Showing the extreme end of the idiom's meaning.

作为一名翻译，对词义的把握必须一丝不苟。

As a translator, the grasp of word meanings must be meticulous.

Context: Linguistics/Translation.

他那种一丝不苟的性格，注定了他会在精密仪器领域取得成功。

His meticulous character destined him for success in the field of precision instruments.

Using '注定了' to show cause and effect in character.

在历史研究中，对史料的考证必须做到一丝不苟，不可断章取义。

In historical research, the verification of historical materials must be meticulous, and one must not take things out of context.

Pairs '一丝不苟' with another idiom '断章取义'.

他对待艺术创作的态度近乎苛刻，每一笔都一丝不苟。

His attitude toward artistic creation is almost harsh; every stroke is meticulous.

Using '近乎' (close to) to emphasize intensity.

审计人员一丝不苟地审查着每一项开支，确保没有任何违规行为。

The auditors meticulously examined every expenditure to ensure there were no irregularities.

Professional context: Auditing.

这种一丝不苟的敬业精神，是每一个职场新人应当具备的素质。

This meticulous professional spirit is a quality that every newcomer in the workplace should possess.

Context: Career advice.

在精密航天工程中，任何一丝不苟的疏忽都可能导致灾难性的后果。

In precision aerospace engineering, any neglect of meticulousness could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Using the idiom as a noun-like quality of the process.

他虽然平时沉默寡言，但干起活来却是一丝不苟，令人佩服。

Although he is usually a man of few words, he is meticulous when he works, which is admirable.

Contrast '沉默寡言' (taciturn) with '一丝不苟'.

他一丝不苟地履行着自己的职责，赢得了大家的信任。

He performed his duties meticulously and won everyone's trust.

Verb '履行' (to fulfill/perform) + '职责' (duty).

古人云：‘治大国若烹小鲜’，虽需大局观，但具体执行仍需一丝不苟。

The ancients said: 'Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish'; although a big-picture view is needed, specific execution still requires meticulousness.

Incorporates a classical quote (Laozi).

他在翻译古典文学时，对每一个虚词的用法都做到了一丝不苟的考证。

When translating classical literature, he conducted meticulous research on the usage of every function word.

High-level academic context: Classical linguistics.

即便是在最艰苦的环境下，他依然保持着一丝不苟的生活习惯。

Even in the harshest environments, he still maintained his meticulous living habits.

Shows the idiom as a deeply ingrained personal discipline.

这种一丝不苟的求索精神，正是推动科学进步的根本动力。

This meticulous spirit of exploration is the fundamental driving force behind scientific progress.

Philosophical/Scientific discussion.

他那份一丝不苟的执着，在当今这个浮躁的社会显得尤为珍贵。

That meticulous persistence of his seems particularly precious in today's impetuous society.

Social commentary: '浮躁' (impetuous/fickle) vs '一丝不苟'.

在编写这部百科全书的过程中，编委们始终秉持着一丝不苟的原则。

In the process of compiling this encyclopedia, the editorial committee always adhered to the principle of being meticulous.

Context: Large-scale intellectual project.

虽然时代在变，但那一丝不苟的传统美德不应被遗忘。

Although times are changing, that meticulous traditional virtue should not be forgotten.

Cultural preservation theme.

他对待工作的态度之严谨、一丝不苟，在全公司是出了名的。

The rigor and meticulousness of his attitude toward work are famous throughout the company.

Complex structure: '...之...，是出了名的'.

Colocações comuns

一丝不苟的精神

做事一丝不苟

一丝不苟地检查

态度一丝不苟

治学一丝不苟

画得一丝不苟

一丝不苟的要求

执行一丝不苟

作风一丝不苟

观察一丝不苟

Frases Comuns

工作一丝不苟

— To work meticulously. It is a standard compliment in business.

他在公司里以工作一丝不苟著称。

学习一丝不苟

— To study with great attention to detail.

学习一丝不苟是取得好成绩的关键。

为人一丝不苟

— To be a person who is meticulous in all aspects of life.

他为人一丝不苟，很难见到他出错。

纪律一丝不苟

— Strict and meticulous adherence to discipline.

军队的纪律要求一丝不苟。

计划一丝不苟

— A meticulously prepared plan.

这份计划制订得一丝不苟。

工艺一丝不苟

— Meticulous craftsmanship.

这种产品的工艺要求一丝不苟。

计算一丝不苟

— Meticulous calculation.

会计在计算时必须一丝不苟。

观察一丝不苟

— Meticulous observation.

侦探观察现场一丝不苟。

修改一丝不苟

— Meticulous revision/editing.

编辑对文稿的修改一丝不苟。

履行一丝不苟

— Meticulous fulfillment of duties.

他一丝不苟地履行了合同义务。

Frequentemente confundido com

一丝不苟 vs 一丝不挂

Means 'stark naked.' Very embarrassing mistake to make!

一丝不苟 vs 认真

General 'serious.' 一丝不苟 is more specific about detail.

一丝不苟 vs 小心

Means 'be careful' (usually to avoid danger).

Expressões idiomáticas

"精益求精"

— To keep improving even after reaching excellence. Often paired with '一丝不苟'.

他在技术上不仅一丝不苟，而且精益求精。

Formal

"兢兢业业"

— Cautious and conscientious. Focuses on long-term dedication.

他几十年如一日，兢兢业业，一丝不苟。

Formal

"谨小慎微"

— Overly cautious about small details. Often negative.

他做事一丝不苟是好事，但不能谨小慎微。

Neutral

"马马虎虎"

— Careless or mediocre. The opposite of '一丝不苟'.

我们不能马马虎虎，要一丝不苟。

Informal

"吹毛求疵"

— To find fault intentionally. The 'dark side' of being meticulous.

他的一丝不苟有时变成了吹毛求疵。

Negative

"全神贯注"

— Full concentration. Necessary for being '一丝不苟'.

他全神贯注，一丝不苟地雕刻着。

Positive

"废寝忘食"

— To forget to eat and sleep due to hard work.

他废寝忘食，一丝不苟地完成了任务。

Positive

"一丝不挂"

— Wait! This sounds similar but means 'stark naked.' Don't confuse them!

千万不要把一丝不苟说成一丝不挂。

Informal/Literal

"严丝合缝"

— To fit perfectly without a gap. Often used for physical objects.

零件组装得严丝合缝，体现了一丝不苟的工艺。

Neutral

"目不转睛"

— To stare with fixed eyes. Describes the focus of someone being meticulous.

他目不转睛，一丝不苟地观察着实验。

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

一丝不苟 vs 精益求精

Both involve high quality.

一丝不苟 is about 'no mistakes.' 精益求精 is about 'getting even better.'

他做事一丝不苟，在技术上更是精益求精。

一丝不苟 vs 兢兢业业

Both describe good workers.

兢兢业业 focuses on dedication and long-term hard work. 一丝不苟 focuses on the precision of the task.

他兢兢业业工作了一辈子，每一件事都做到一丝不苟。

一丝不苟 vs 谨小慎微

Both involve attention to small things.

一丝不苟 is a compliment. 谨小慎微 is often a criticism of being too timid.

他不是谨小慎微，他是真的做事一丝不苟。

一丝不苟 vs 认真

Basic synonym.

认真 is an attitude. 一丝不苟 is a standard of work.

你不仅要认真，还要做到一丝不苟。

一丝不苟 vs 仔细

Both mean careful.

仔细 is an everyday word. 一丝不苟 is a formal idiom.

请仔细检查，要做到一丝不苟。

Padrões de frases

他做事一丝不苟。

我爸爸做事一丝不苟。

他一丝不苟地[动词]。

他一丝不苟地打扫房间。

[名词]写得一丝不苟。

你的作业写得一丝不苟。

表现出了一丝不苟的精神。

他在比赛中表现出了一丝不苟的精神。

对...要求一丝不苟。

公司对安全的要求一丝不苟。

以一丝不苟的态度对待...

我们要以一丝不苟的态度对待科学。

虽...但一丝不苟。

他虽然累，但干起活来一丝不苟。

秉持一丝不苟的原则。

我们始终秉持一丝不苟的原则进行研发。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

苟且 (gǒu qiě) - negligence/carelessness

丝 (sī) - silk/thread/tiny amount

Verbos

苟合 (gǒu hé) - to join together improperly

苟活 (gǒu huó) - to live on in a perfunctory way

Adjetivos

严谨 (yán jǐn) - rigorous

认真 (rèn zhēn) - serious

Relacionado

苟 (gǒu) - careless/negligent

丝 (sī) - thread/silk

不 (bù) - not

一 (yī) - one

精细 (jīng xì) - fine/meticulous

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

frequency

High in written Chinese; Medium-High in spoken professional Chinese.

Erros comuns

Writing '一丝不狗' → 一丝不苟
Confusing 'gǒu' (negligent) with 'gǒu' (dog). They sound the same but the characters are different.
Using it for trivial things like 'he ate lunch meticulously.' → He ate lunch carefully (认真地).
Register error. The idiom is too formal for minor daily actions.
Saying '他不一丝不苟' → 他不认真 / 他做事马马虎虎
Negating idioms directly often sounds unnatural. Use an antonym instead.
Confusing it with '一丝不挂' → 一丝不苟
One means meticulous, the other means naked. This is a high-stakes mistake!
Forgetting the '地' in '一丝不苟检查' → 一丝不苟地检查
When an idiom acts as an adverb, '地' is usually required for grammatical clarity.

Dicas

Use with '地'

When describing an action, always remember to add '地' (de) after the idiom: 一丝不苟地看、一丝不苟地写.

Save for Formal Situations

Use it in resumes or interviews to describe your work style. It sounds much more professional than just saying 'I am careful.'

Think of Silk

Remember the 'sī' character means silk. It helps you visualize the tiny, thin details that the person is paying attention to.

Compare with Mahu

To remember it, always think of it as the 'Anti-Mǎhu' (Anti-careless).

The 'Gou' is not a 'Dog'

Careful with the character '苟'. It means 'negligent' here, not 'dog'. Mixing them up is a common learner mistake.

Rhythm Matters

Chinese idioms are usually 4 beats. Practice saying 'Yī-Sī-Bù-Gǒu' with equal weight on each character.

Radical Check

The grass radical '艹' on '苟' is essential. It historically related to being 'perfunctory' or 'careless' like weeds.

Building Trust

If you describe your work as 'yī sī bù gǒu' in China, people will expect zero mistakes. Only use it if you can back it up!

Craftsmanship

This word is the heart of the 'Craftsman Spirit' (工匠精神). Mentioning this in a cultural discussion will impress native speakers.

News Context

Listen for this word on CCTV news when they talk about space launches or bridge building.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'Silk' (sī) thread. If you are weaving a royal robe, even 'One' (yī) thread 'Not' (bù) being 'Careless' (gǒu) makes the robe perfect. Yī-Sī-Bù-Gǒu.

Associação visual

Imagine a scientist looking at a single strand of hair through a microscope and making sure it is perfectly straight. That is 一丝不苟.

Word Web

一 (One) 丝 (Thread/Silk) 不 (Not) 苟 (Careless) 认真 (Serious) 细节 (Detail) 完美 (Perfect) 工匠 (Craftsman)

Desafio

Try to find one thing today that you can do 'yī sī bù gǒu.' Whether it's washing a dish or writing an email, do it so perfectly that not even a 'thread' is wrong.

Origem da palavra

The phrase originates from the 'Book of Han' (汉书 - Hàn Shū), specifically the biography of a rigorous official. It has been used for nearly two millennia to describe individuals who adhere strictly to rules and details. The character '苟' (gǒu) in ancient Chinese meant 'careless' or 'improper,' a meaning still preserved in this idiom today.

Significado original: Not to be careless even about a single thread of silk.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese Idiom / Chengyu)

Contexto cultural

It is a purely positive term. There are no negative sensitivities, but avoid using it to describe someone who is being 'OCD' in a clinical or derogatory sense.

In English, we might use 'meticulous,' 'painstaking,' or 'thorough.' However, '一丝不苟' sounds more poetic and carries more weight as a classical idiom.

The 'Book of Han' (Historical origin). Mao Zedong often used this phrase to describe the necessary attitude for revolutionary work. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are often described this way when measuring herbs.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Professional Performance Review

工作一丝不苟
态度严谨
深得信任
零错误率

Artistic Creation

每一笔都一丝不苟
细节处理到位
匠心独运
追求完美

Scientific Experimentation

记录一丝不苟
操作规范
数据准确
排除干扰

Academic Research

治学一丝不苟
考证详实
逻辑周密
引用规范

Daily Chores

收拾得一丝不苟
打扫彻底
井井有条
一尘不染

Iniciadores de conversa

"你觉得在工作中，一丝不苟的态度重要吗？ (Do you think a meticulous attitude is important in work?)"

"你认识的人中，谁做事最一丝不苟？ (Among the people you know, who is the most meticulous?)"

"你在做什么事情的时候会表现得一丝不苟？ (What things do you do with meticulous care?)"

"一丝不苟和追求完美是一回事吗？ (Are being meticulous and pursuing perfection the same thing?)"

"如果一个医生不一丝不苟，会发生什么？ (What would happen if a doctor wasn't meticulous?)"

Temas para diário

描写一次你一丝不苟地完成任务的经历。 (Describe an experience where you completed a task meticulously.)

讨论为什么在现代社会中，一丝不苟的精神依然重要。 (Discuss why the spirit of being meticulous is still important in modern society.)

如果你是老板，你会如何奖励那些做事一丝不苟的员工？ (If you were a boss, how would you reward employees who do things meticulously?)

对比‘一丝不苟’和‘马马虎虎’对生活的影响。 (Compare the impact of being 'meticulous' vs 'careless' on life.)

写一段话赞美一位你认为做事一丝不苟的老师或长辈。 (Write a paragraph praising a teacher or elder you think is meticulous.)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, you can use it for hobbies, studying, or even personal grooming. However, it implies a high level of seriousness and precision, so it's most common in 'important' contexts.

Yes, '他是一个一丝不苟的人' is very common. It means he is a meticulous person by nature.

The most common opposites are '马马虎虎' (mǎ mǎ hū hū) and '粗心大意' (cū xīn dà yì).

It's grammatically possible but rare. Usually, we use negative adjectives like '马虎' (mǎ hu) instead of negating the idiom directly.

It is '苟'. Top is '艹' (grass), bottom is '句' (sentence). Don't confuse it with '狗' (dog)!

Yes, it is a very strong compliment. It suggests the person is highly reliable and professional.

Usually, we use it for the *way* something was made, like '这件衣服做的一丝不苟', rather than the object itself.

It is common enough that every native speaker knows it, but it sounds more educated and formal than '认真'.

Yes, it comes from the 'Book of Han' and refers to the strictness of ancient officials.

It is generally considered a B2 level word because it is an idiom with a specific register and historical context.

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