B2 Expression Neutral 2 min de lectura

详细来说

In detail

Literalmente: Detailed-ly speaking

Use this phrase to transition from a general summary to a deep, specific explanation.

En 15 segundos

  • A transition phrase used to provide specific details.
  • Equivalent to 'In detail' or 'To be more specific'.
  • Works in both professional meetings and casual storytelling.

Significado

This phrase is your 'zoom-in' button. You use it when you've made a general statement and now want to dive into the specific details or steps.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

Explaining a business plan

我们的计划很有潜力。详细来说,我们打算先进入亚洲市场。

Our plan has great potential. In detail, we plan to enter the Asian market first.

💼
2

Explaining why you were late to a friend

今天早上太倒霉了。详细来说,我错过了公交,还丢了钥匙。

I had such bad luck this morning. In detail, I missed the bus and lost my keys.

😊
3

Giving a cooking tip

这个菜的做法不难。详细来说,火候是最重要的。

This dish isn't hard to make. In detail, the heat control is the most important part.

🤝
🌍

Contexto cultural

In Chinese culture, providing a detailed explanation is seen as a sign of respect and sincerity. It shows you aren't hiding anything and that you value the listener's time. While modern slang is fast, this phrase remains a staple because it bridges the gap between traditional formal speech and modern efficiency.

💡

The Comma is Key

Always follow `详细来说` with a small pause (or a comma in writing). It gives your audience a second to prepare for the details.

⚠️

Don't Overpromise

If you say `详细来说` and then only give a 3-word explanation, it sounds awkward. Make sure you actually have details to share!

En 15 segundos

  • A transition phrase used to provide specific details.
  • Equivalent to 'In detail' or 'To be more specific'.
  • Works in both professional meetings and casual storytelling.

What It Means

Think of 详细来说 as a bridge. It connects a big idea to the small, crunchy details. It tells your listener, "Hold on, I'm about to give you the full story." It is the equivalent of saying "To go into more detail" or "Expanding on that" in English. It turns a vague summary into a clear picture.

How To Use It

You usually place this phrase at the beginning of a sentence. It acts as a signal. Follow it with a comma, then list your points. You can use it after someone asks for clarification. You can also use it to explain a complex plan. It makes you sound organized and thoughtful. It’s like opening a folder to show the files inside.

When To Use It

Use it in a meeting when explaining a strategy. Use it with a friend when recounting a wild weekend. It’s perfect for recipes or DIY instructions. If you are texting a long explanation, start with this to warn them! It works great when you want to be taken seriously. It shows you have done your homework.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it if you only have one short sentence to follow. That’s a bit of a letdown! Avoid it in super fast, one-word-answer conversations. If your friend asks "Are you hungry?", don't say 详细来说. Just say yes! Also, don't use it if you are actually being vague. It promises depth, so you better deliver the details.

Cultural Background

Chinese communication often follows a "big to small" logic. You start with the general environment or result. Then, you move into the specifics. 详细来说 is the classic linguistic tool for this transition. It reflects a cultural value of thoroughness and logical structure. In business, being able to 详细来说 shows professional competence.

Common Variations

You might hear 具体来说 which means "specifically speaking." There is also 简单来说 for when you want to do the opposite—summarize. If you are feeling very casual with close friends, you might just say 细说 (tell me the details). But 详细来说 remains the most versatile and balanced choice for most situations.

Notas de uso

This phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any register from neutral to formal. Avoid using it for extremely brief or trivial clarifications to maintain its impact.

💡

The Comma is Key

Always follow `详细来说` with a small pause (or a comma in writing). It gives your audience a second to prepare for the details.

⚠️

Don't Overpromise

If you say `详细来说` and then only give a 3-word explanation, it sounds awkward. Make sure you actually have details to share!

💬

The 'Big to Small' Secret

Chinese logic loves starting with the big picture. Using this phrase makes you sound like a native speaker who understands this structural flow.

Ejemplos

6
#1 Explaining a business plan
💼

我们的计划很有潜力。详细来说,我们打算先进入亚洲市场。

Our plan has great potential. In detail, we plan to enter the Asian market first.

Sets a professional tone for a strategy breakdown.

#2 Explaining why you were late to a friend
😊

今天早上太倒霉了。详细来说,我错过了公交,还丢了钥匙。

I had such bad luck this morning. In detail, I missed the bus and lost my keys.

Used to vent about a series of unfortunate events.

#3 Giving a cooking tip
🤝

这个菜的做法不难。详细来说,火候是最重要的。

This dish isn't hard to make. In detail, the heat control is the most important part.

Transitions from a general opinion to a specific instruction.

#4 Texting a friend about a bad date
😄

那个人太奇怪了!详细来说,他整晚都在聊他的猫。

That guy was so weird! In detail, he talked about his cat all night.

Perfect for 'spilling the tea' via text.

#5 Explaining a difficult decision
💭

我决定辞职了。详细来说,我想追求我的梦想。

I've decided to quit. In detail, I want to pursue my dreams.

Provides a serious, heartfelt explanation for a big life change.

#6 A teacher explaining a complex concept
👔

这个语法点很重要。详细来说,它有三种用法。

This grammar point is important. In detail, it has three uses.

Used to structure an educational explanation.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the best phrase to start a detailed explanation of a trip.

这次旅行很开心。___,我们去了故宫和长城。

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 详细来说

`详细来说` is used here to transition from the general feeling of the trip to specific locations visited.

Which phrase fits best in a professional report?

项目进展顺利。___,我们已经完成了第一阶段。

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 详细来说

In a report, `详细来说` provides the necessary professional structure to explain progress.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality Spectrum of 'In Detail'

Informal

Using '细说' with best friends.

快细说!

Neutral

Using '详细来说' in daily life.

详细来说,是这样的...

Formal

Using '具体而言' in a speech.

具体而言,本年度...

Where to use 详细来说

详细来说
💼

Office Meeting

Explaining a budget.

Coffee with Friends

Telling a long story.

🎧

Customer Support

Explaining a refund policy.

🍳

Cooking Class

Explaining a recipe step.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Not at all! It's neutral. You can use it when you're about to send a 'wall of text' to explain something to a friend.

详细来说 focuses on the depth and thoroughness, while 具体来说 focuses on being specific or providing a concrete example. They are often interchangeable.

No, it almost always comes at the beginning of the explanation segment. It acts as a header for what follows.

Yes, you can say 详言之 in very formal writing, or just 细说 in very casual speech.

It can if you use it every two minutes, but in a normal conversation, it just sounds organized and clear.

Yes! If someone asks 'How did it go?', you can say 'Very well. 详细来说...' and then list the events.

The opposite is 简单来说 (jiǎndān lái shuō), which means 'To put it simply' or 'In short'.

Extremely common. It's a standard way to transition from a summary to a data-driven report.

Yes, it is polite and shows you are being patient and thorough in your explanation.

If you just say 详细, it becomes an adjective ('detailed'). You need the 来说 to make it a transition phrase.

Frases relacionadas

具体来说 (Specifically speaking)

简单来说 (Simply speaking)

总的来说 (Generally speaking / In conclusion)

换句话说 (In other words)

说实话 (To tell the truth)

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