1.
small, fine (in size/particles)
Describes things that are small in size or fine in texture.
細かい砂が足についた。
Fine sand stuck to my feet.
Physical size/texture
細かく切ってください。
Please cut it into small pieces.
Adverbial form 細かく
細かい雨が朝から降り続いている。
A fine rain has been falling since morning.
2.
detailed, minute
Describes something done with great attention to detail.
細かいところまで説明してください。
Please explain even the small details.
細かい作業が得意だ。
I'm good at detailed work.
細かい字が読みにくくなった。
Small print has become hard to read.
3.
small change (money)
Refers to coins or small denominations of money.
細かいお金がありますか。
Do you have small change?
Money meaning
千円札を細かくしてください。
Please break this thousand-yen bill into change.
細かくする = to break into smaller denominations
細かいのしかなくてすみません。
Sorry, I only have small change.
4.
meticulous, fussy, particular
Describes someone who pays close attention to small details, sometimes excessively.
彼は細かいことを気にしすぎる。
He worries too much about small things.
Personality trait
あの先生は細かい人だ。
That teacher is a meticulous person.
そんなに細かいことを言わないで。
Don't be so fussy about the details.
細かい is an i-adjective meaning 'small,' 'fine,' or 'detailed.'
Forms:
- Adverbial: 細かく
- Noun form: 細かさ
Conjugation:
- Negative: 細かくない
- Te-form: 細かくて
- Past: 細かかった
Similar words:
- 細かい vs. 小さい: 細かい emphasizes fineness or detail, while 小さい simply means 'small' in size.
- 細かい vs. 詳しい: 詳しい means 'detailed' in terms of information/knowledge; 細かい refers to small physical details or meticulous behavior.
Common collocations: 細かい字 (small writing), 細かいお金 (small change), 細かい作業 (detailed work).