一丝不苟
Meticulous; scrupulous
حرفيًا: Not even one thread is handled carelessly.
Use this to praise someone's flawless, detailed work or their highly disciplined professional attitude.
في 15 ثانية
- Extreme attention to detail.
- Not allowing even a tiny mistake.
- A high-level compliment for professional work.
المعنى
It describes someone who is incredibly careful and detailed. They don't overlook even the tiniest mistake or loose thread in their work.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Praising a colleague's report
你的报告写得一丝不苟，连标点符号都没错。
Your report is meticulous; even the punctuation is perfect.
Describing a master chef
这位大厨对食材的选择一丝不苟。
This head chef is scrupulous about selecting ingredients.
A formal recommendation letter
他在工作中一向一丝不苟，深受同事信任。
He has always been meticulous in his work and is deeply trusted by colleagues.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase originates from the Qing Dynasty novel 'The Scholars' (儒林外史). It reflects the traditional Chinese emphasis on 'Gongfu' (effort and skill) and the moral weight placed on professional integrity. In modern China, it is frequently used by state media to praise scientists, engineers, and traditional craftsmen.
The 'Silk' Secret
Remember that '丝' (sī) refers to a single strand of silk. If you can imagine someone checking a silk garment for one single loose thread, you've mastered the feeling of this phrase.
Don't be a Sarcastic Perfectionist
While usually positive, using this for very tiny, unimportant things can sound sarcastic. Use it when the effort actually deserves the high-level praise.
في 15 ثانية
- Extreme attention to detail.
- Not allowing even a tiny mistake.
- A high-level compliment for professional work.
What It Means
Think about a master watchmaker. He looks through a tiny magnifying glass. Every gear must fit perfectly. If one tiny hair gets inside, it's ruined. 一丝不苟 captures this exact spirit. The word 丝 means a tiny strand of silk. The word 苟 means being careless or casual. So, you aren't even "one thread" careless. It’s about a level of detail that borders on perfection. You aren't just doing the job. You are honoring the job with your focus. It’s the opposite of "good enough." It is "exactly right."
How To Use It
You will mostly see this used as an adjective. You can say someone is an 一丝不苟 person. Or you can use it as an adverb with 地. For example, "She checked the contract 一丝不苟地." It fits perfectly in a sentence after the subject. "My teacher is 一丝不苟." It sounds sophisticated and very respectful. You can use it in letters of recommendation. You can also use it to compliment a craftsman. It’s a heavy-duty compliment for someone's work ethic.
When To Use It
This is your go-to phrase for high-stakes situations. Think of a surgeon during a long operation. Think of an architect drawing a skyscraper. Use it when the details actually matter. It’s great for praising a colleague's presentation. If your friend spends three hours plating a dinner, use it. It shows you appreciate the "unseen" effort they made. It’s a very common phrase in Chinese media. You’ll hear it in documentaries about master artists. It’s a badge of honor for any professional.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for low-effort or casual tasks. If your friend just tosses a salad, don't use it. It will sound sarcastic or weirdly intense. Also, avoid using it to describe someone being "petty." If someone is complaining about a tiny scratch, they are 挑剔. 一丝不苟 is almost always a positive thing. It’s about quality, not just being annoying. Don't use it if the person is actually being slow. Precision is the focus, not the speed.
Cultural Background
This phrase has deep roots in Chinese literature. It appears in the novel "The Scholars" from the 1700s. The author, Wu Jingzi, used it to describe integrity. In Chinese culture, how you do small things matters. It reflects your inner discipline and your "face." Being 一丝不苟 means you have a strong sense of responsibility. It’s a value passed down through generations of artisans. Even today, it’s the ultimate praise for a worker. It suggests a person who can be fully trusted.
Common Variations
If you want something simpler, just say 非常认真. That’s the "everyday" version of this feeling. If someone is trying to make something perfect even better, use 精益求精. That phrase means "constantly improving." If you want to describe someone who is cautious, use 小心翼翼. But that one feels more like they are afraid of failing. 一丝不苟 is about the beauty of the process. It’s about the pride of doing things right.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a high-register idiom. While it is formal, it is very common in both written and spoken Chinese when discussing work, crafts, or serious hobbies. It is almost exclusively positive.
The 'Silk' Secret
Remember that '丝' (sī) refers to a single strand of silk. If you can imagine someone checking a silk garment for one single loose thread, you've mastered the feeling of this phrase.
Don't be a Sarcastic Perfectionist
While usually positive, using this for very tiny, unimportant things can sound sarcastic. Use it when the effort actually deserves the high-level praise.
The 'Face' Connection
In China, being described as '一丝不苟' is one of the best ways to 'give face' to a professional. it implies they have a superior character, not just good skills.
أمثلة
6你的报告写得一丝不苟，连标点符号都没错。
Your report is meticulous; even the punctuation is perfect.
Focuses on the lack of even small errors like punctuation.
这位大厨对食材的选择一丝不苟。
This head chef is scrupulous about selecting ingredients.
Shows the phrase can apply to selection processes, not just writing.
他在工作中一向一丝不苟，深受同事信任。
He has always been meticulous in his work and is deeply trusted by colleagues.
A classic way to use the phrase in a professional evaluation.
你家收拾得也太一丝不苟了吧！
You've tidied your house so meticulously!
Using a formal phrase in a casual context to emphasize surprise.
他连洗袜子都一丝不苟，真是服了。
He's even meticulous about washing socks; I'm truly impressed.
Uses the high-level idiom for a trivial task for comedic effect.
爷爷做木工活儿总是一丝不苟。
Grandpa is always meticulous when doing woodwork.
Conveys a sense of respect for a lifelong habit or craft.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the best phrase to describe a scientist performing a delicate experiment.
这位科学家在做实验时___，不敢有半点马虎。
Scientists need extreme precision, which is exactly what '一丝不苟' describes.
Which word fits best in a professional performance review?
王经理对待工作一向___，是大家的榜样。
In a professional setting, '一丝不苟' is a high compliment for a manager's work ethic.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Being Careful'
Basic carefulness
认真 (rènzhēn)
Very careful/attentive
仔细 (zǐxì)
Meticulous/Scrupulous
一丝不苟 (yì sī bù gǒu)
When to use 一丝不苟
Coding
Writing bug-free code
Surgery
Operating on a patient
Art
Painting a detailed portrait
Accounting
Balancing complex books
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt is almost always a compliment. It praises someone's dedication and precision, like saying 他办事一丝不苟 (He handles matters meticulously).
Yes, absolutely! It’s a great way to describe a student who takes very neat notes or studies very hard, such as 他学习一丝不苟.
The most common opposite is 马马虎虎 (careless/so-so) or 粗心大意 (negligent).
It’s a bit formal, but you can use it to show you are really impressed. It adds a touch of 'wow' to your text.
Usually, it describes the *way* someone does something, but you can use it to describe the result of their work, like an 一丝不苟的计划 (a meticulous plan).
Close, but 'perfectionist' can be negative. 一丝不苟 focuses on the positive aspect of being thorough and reliable.
Yes, but it's better to say 我对待工作一向一丝不苟. It shows confidence in your work ethic.
Not really. It's a set four-character idiom (Chengyu). If you want something shorter, just use 认真 (rè nzhēn).
It's the third tone (falling then rising). It sounds like the word for 'dog' (狗), which is a fun way to remember it!
Yes! If someone cleans every single corner and baseboard, they are cleaning 一丝不苟地.
عبارات ذات صلة
精益求精 (Constantly improving)
兢兢业业 (Cautious and conscientious)
小心翼翼 (Very carefully/cautiously)
马马虎虎 (Careless/sloppy)
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