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
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
N24 questionsTest your knowledge of 細かい with 4 different question types.
Want to practice this word?
Add to Fujiyama & Study with AI
Generate more example sentences, listen to native pronunciation, and review with SRS — all personalized to your JLPT level.