仔细 (zǐxì)

仔细 means to be careful, attentive, and thorough — paying close attention to details when doing something.

Meanings

[adjective] careful, meticulous, attentive
[adverb] carefully, attentively (modifying a verb)

Example Sentences

请仔细阅读说明书，再开始操作。 Qǐng zǐxì yuèdú shuōmíngshū, zài kāishǐ cāozuò. Please read the instructions carefully before starting to operate.

她是一个非常仔细的人，工作很少出错。 Tā shì yīgè fēicháng zǐxì de rén, gōngzuò hěn shǎo chūcuò. She is a very careful person; she rarely makes mistakes at work.

你要仔细检查每一份合同。 Nǐ yào zǐxì jiǎnchá měi yī fèn hétong. You need to carefully check every contract.

仔细听老师说话，不要分心。 Zǐxì tīng lǎoshī shuōhuà, bùyào fēnxīn. Listen carefully to what the teacher says; don't get distracted.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
仔细检查	check carefully
仔细阅读	read carefully
仔细观察	observe carefully
不够仔细	not careful enough

Usage Notes

仔细 can modify verbs as an adverb (仔细看) or describe a person's character as an adjective (他很仔细). It emphasizes thoroughness and attention to detail. Do not confuse it with 小心 (careful in the sense of cautious/watching out for danger) — 仔细 focuses on precision and thoroughness.

Memory Hook

仔 contains the character for "son/child" (子) — imagine a parent checking every detail of their child's homework with great care.