細かい
こまかい·komakai
Meaning
detailed; fine; minute; small; precise; particular
Nuance & Usage
細かい has several related meanings: physically small/fine (細かい粒子 — fine particles), detailed/thorough (細かい説明 — detailed explanation), and particular/nitpicky about details (細かいことが気になる — bothered by minor details). 細かい作業 (delicate, detailed work) praises precision. However, 細かいことを言う (to point out minor things) can sound critical or overly pedantic. The adverb 細かく is used: 細かく説明する (to explain in detail), 細かく切る (to cut finely). 細かいお金 (こまかいおかね) means small change.
Common Mistakes
Learners confuse 細かい with 詳しい (kuwashii — detailed, knowledgeable about) and 小さい (chiisai — small). 細かい emphasizes fineness or minuteness (of detail or size); 詳しい emphasizes thoroughness of knowledge or explanation. 細かい人 (a detail-oriented/nitpicky person) can be a compliment or slight criticism depending on context. 細かいことはいいから (stop being nitpicky about the details) shows its negative connotation. Small change is 細かいお金 — not 小さいお金.
Example Sentences (3)
彼はいつも細かいところまで気を配ってくれる。
かれはいつもこまかいところまできをくばってくれる。
He always pays attention to even the smallest details.
細かい作業が続いて、目が疲れてきた。
こまかいさぎょうがつづいて、めがつかれてきた。
After continuing detailed work, my eyes are getting tired.
すみません、細かいお金がないので、一万円でお願いします。
すみません、こまかいおかねがないので、いちまんえんでおねがいします。
I'm sorry, I don't have small change, so could you please take 10,000 yen?
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N24 questionsTest your knowledge of 細かい with 4 different question types.
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