Meanings of 仔细
By ear
Play it, then pick what 仔细 means.
About 仔细
Podcast: 仔细
Podcast: 仔细
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 仔细
细心 (xìxīn): Use 仔细 (zǐxì) when emphasizing carefulness in a broader context, while 细心 (xìxīn) focuses more on a gentle attentiveness.
Common mistakes include using 仔细 in overly casual contexts, where simpler words like 小心 (xiǎoxīn) might suffice. It is more formal, so it's often used in professional or academic settings. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
As an HSK Level 4 word, 仔细 connects to other vocabulary related to carefulness and attention, such as 留心 (liúxīn) and 小心 (xiǎoxīn). Students should focus on using it in sentences that highlight attention to detail.
Learners often confuse 仔细 with 小心 (xiǎoxīn), thinking they are interchangeable; however, 小心 is more about being cautious in risky situations, whereas 仔细 emphasizes attention to detail. For example, saying '我会仔细走' (wǒ huì zǐxì zǒu - I will walk carefully) is incorrect; it should be '我会小心走' (wǒ huì xiǎoxīn zǒu).
Pronunciation of 仔细
Drill the tone of 仔细, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 仔细 to you
Let me explain 仔细 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 仔细 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 仔细?
Learning Lab
Knowing 仔细 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say careful in Chinese
“careful” in Chinese is仔细
The word 仔细 (zǐxì) describes a state of being careful, attentive, or cautious. It is often used to emphasize the importance of paying close attention to detail in various contexts, such as work, study, or daily tasks, where precision is crucial.
When to use 仔细
Common mistakes include using 仔细 in overly casual contexts, where simpler words like 小心 (xiǎoxīn) might suffice. It is more formal, so it's often used in professional or academic settings. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
仔细 or something close to it
细心 (xìxīn): Use 仔细 (zǐxì) when emphasizing carefulness in a broader context, while 细心 (xìxīn) focuses more on a gentle attentiveness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 仔细 with 小心 (xiǎoxīn), thinking they are interchangeable; however, 小心 is more about being cautious in risky situations, whereas 仔细 emphasizes attention to detail. For example, saying '我会仔细走' (wǒ huì zǐxì zǒu - I will walk carefully) is incorrect; it should be '我会小心走' (wǒ huì xiǎoxīn zǒu).
Write 仔细
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 仔细 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 仔细
仔细 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
除非你____检查，不然太容易出错了。
Unless you check carefully, it is too easy to make mistakes.
Example sentences for 仔细 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 仔细?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 仔细
It's better suited for formal contexts, so consider using simpler terms like 小心 in casual settings.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 仔细?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.