xìjié: 细节 - Details, Particulars

• Keywords: 细节, xìjié, Chinese for details, pay attention to detail in Chinese, what does xijie mean, Chinese details, particulars in Chinese, details matter Chinese, 细节决定成败
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 细节 (xìjié), the Chinese word for “details” or “particulars.” This term is more than a simple translation; it reflects a deep cultural value in China where paying attention to the small things is seen as the key to success, quality, and showing respect. Learn why “details determine success or failure” (细节决定成败) is a foundational concept in Chinese business, art, and personal relationships, and how you can use this important word to sound more authentic.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xìjié
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The small, specific parts of something; details or particulars.
• In a Nutshell: 细节 (xìjié) refers to the minor, specific points that make up a larger whole. While it translates directly to “details,” it carries a much stronger cultural weight. In Chinese culture, 细节 are not trivial; they are often considered the most important element. Paying attention to 细节 demonstrates care, professionalism, intelligence, and respect. It’s the difference between “good enough” and “excellent.”

• 细 (xì): This character means “fine,” “thin,” “slender,” or “minute.” The left side (糹/纟) is the “silk” radical, and the right side (田) is the “field” radical. You can imagine it as carefully working with fine silk threads in a field, implying precision and meticulousness.
• 节 (jié): This character means “joint” (like in a stalk of bamboo), “segment,” “node,” or “festival.” It represents a distinct part or section of a larger structure or timeline.
• The two characters combine to mean “fine segments” or “minute joints.” This paints a vivid picture of the small, distinct parts that connect to form a complete and coherent whole, perfectly capturing the essence of “details.”

The importance of 细节 is deeply embedded in the Chinese cultural psyche, best summarized by the famous proverb: 细节决定成败 (xìjié juédìng chéngbài) — “Details determine success or failure.” This isn't just a business slogan; it's a philosophy applied to nearly every aspect of life. Whether crafting a product, preparing a meal for guests, or executing a plan, the quality of the outcome is believed to be a direct result of the attention paid to its constituent parts. A task done with poor attention to 细节 is seen as sloppy, disrespectful, and doomed to mediocrity, if not outright failure. Comparison to a Western Concept: In the West, we have the saying, “The devil is in the details,” which implies that details are tricky and can cause problems if overlooked. It has a slightly negative or cautionary feel. The Chinese concept of 细节决定成败 is more proactive and positive. It's less about avoiding a “devil” and more about actively pursuing excellence. The details aren't a potential trap; they are the very building blocks of success. This reflects a cultural emphasis on diligence, patience, and achieving mastery through meticulous effort.

细节 is a high-frequency word used in both formal and informal contexts.

• In Business and the Workplace: This is where the term shines. A manager might praise a report for its attention to 细节 or critique a plan for lacking them. Example: “这个项目计划很好，但是我们需要讨论一下具体的细节。” (This project plan is good, but we need to discuss the specific details.)
• In Personal Relationships: Remembering small things—a favorite dish, an important date, a casual preference—is seen as paying attention to 细节. This demonstrates genuine care and attentiveness. A partner might be praised as being “a person who really values details” (一个很注重细节的人).
• In Art, Design, and Appreciation: When discussing a film, a painting, a piece of clothing, or architecture, 细节 refers to the subtle elements that showcase the creator's skill and effort. Example: “这部电影的服装细节做得非常棒。” (The costume details in this movie are fantastically done.)

The connotation is almost always neutral to positive. The *lack* of attention to 细节 is what's viewed negatively.

• Example 1:
  • 俗话说，细节决定成败。
  • Pinyin: Súhuà shuō, xìjié juédìng chéngbài.
  • English: As the saying goes, details determine success or failure.
  • Analysis: This is the quintessential phrase using 细节. It's used as a piece of wisdom in business, education, and personal development.
• Example 2:
  • 他是一个非常注重细节的人。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè fēicháng zhùzhòng xìjié de rén.
  • English: He is a person who pays great attention to detail.
  • Analysis: A common way to describe someone's character. 注重 (zhùzhòng) means “to emphasize” or “to pay attention to.”
• Example 3:
  • 我们可以讨论一下合同的细节吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ tǎolùn yīxià hétóng de xìjié ma?
  • English: Can we discuss the details of the contract?
  • Analysis: A very practical and common sentence in a formal or business context.
• Example 4:
  • 这幅画的细节处理得非常好。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fú huà de xìjié chǔlǐ de fēicháng hǎo.
  • English: The details in this painting are handled very well.
  • Analysis: Used here to praise craftsmanship and artistry. 处理 (chǔlǐ) means “to handle” or “to process.”
• Example 5:
  • 警察正在调查案件的所有细节。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngchá zhèngzài diàochá ànjiàn de suǒyǒu xìjié.
  • English: The police are investigating all the details of the case.
  • Analysis: Shows 细节 being used to refer to the specific facts and evidence within a larger event.
• Example 6:
  • 他的计划失败了，就是因为忽略了几个关键细节。
  • Pinyin: Tā de jìhuà shībài le, jiùshì yīnwèi hūlüè le jǐ gè guānjiàn xìjié.
  • English: His plan failed simply because he overlooked a few key details.
  • Analysis: This sentence illustrates the negative consequence of not paying attention to 细节. 忽略 (hūlüè) means “to neglect” or “to overlook.”
• Example 7:
  • 你能再多告诉我一些细节吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng zài duō gàosù wǒ yīxiē xìjié ma?
  • English: Can you tell me some more details?
  • Analysis: A simple and direct question asking for more specific information about a topic that has already been introduced.
• Example 8:
  • 好的设计在于细节。
  • Pinyin: Hǎo de shèjì zàiyú xìjié.
  • English: Good design lies in the details.
  • Analysis: A concise and powerful statement often used in creative fields. 在于 (zàiyú) means “to lie in” or “to consist in.”
• Example 9:
  • 她记得我们第一次约会的所有细节，真让我感动。
  • Pinyin: Tā jìdé wǒmen dì yī cì yuēhuì de suǒyǒu xìjié, zhēn ràng wǒ gǎndòng.
  • English: She remembers all the details of our first date, which really moves me.
  • Analysis: This shows how paying attention to 细节 in a relationship is seen as a sign of love and care.
• Example 10:
  • 在我们开始之前，让我们先确认一下所有技术细节。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǒmen kāishǐ zhīqián, ràng wǒmen xiān quèrèn yīxià suǒyǒu jìshù xìjié.
  • English: Before we begin, let's first confirm all the technical details.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a professional and thorough approach to a task, emphasizing preparedness.

A common pitfall for English speakers is to use 细节 whenever they would say “details,” but it's not always a perfect one-to-one match. Mistake: Using 细节 for general “information” or “news.” 细节 refers to the fine, constituent parts of a known topic, event, or object. It's not a synonym for general information, updates, or news.

• Incorrect: 你有关于那个会议的细节吗？ (Nǐ yǒu guānyú nàgè huìyì de xìjié ma?)
  • While understandable, this sounds slightly unnatural if you're just asking for the basic information (like time and place).
• More Natural: 你有关于那个会议的信息吗？ (Nǐ yǒu guānyú nàgè huìyì de xìnxī ma?) - Do you have any information about that meeting?
• Correct use of 细节: 我们已经知道了会议的时间和地点，现在来讨论一下会议的细节吧。(Wǒmen yǐjīng zhīdào le huìyì de shíjiān hé dìdiǎn, xiànzài lái tǎolùn yīxià huìyì de xìjié ba.) - We already know the time and place of the meeting, now let's discuss its details (e.g., the agenda, speaker order, materials).

Essentially, use 信息 (xìnxī) for “information” in general, and 细节 (xìjié) for the specific, granular points *within* that information.

• 具体 (jùtǐ) - Concrete, specific. Often paired with 细节 to ask for the specific details.
• 详细 (xiángxì) - Detailed, in detail (adjective/adverb). This describes something that contains a lot of 细节. You can give a 详细 explanation that includes many 细节.
• 讲究 (jiǎngjiu) - To be particular about; exquisite. A person who is 讲究 is someone who pays close attention to 细节 in their life, from food to clothing.
• 周到 (zhōudào) - Thoughtful, considerate, thorough. Describes a service or a person who has considered all the 细节 related to someone's comfort and needs.
• 马虎 (mǎhu) - Careless, sloppy. The direct antonym of being attentive to 细节. Someone who is 马虎 ignores the details.
• 情况 (qíngkuàng) - Situation, circumstances. This is the big picture; 细节 are the small facts that make up the 情况.
• 信息 (xìnxī) - Information, news. A much broader and more general term than 细节.