1.
details; particulars; full particulars
The detailed points or particulars of a matter, as opposed to a general outline. A somewhat formal, written word, often appearing in business letters, newspaper advertisements, and fixed phrases like 委細面談 (details to be discussed in person).
委細は後日ご連絡します。
I will contact you about the details at a later date.
委細面談の上、決定いたします。
We will decide after discussing the details in person.
応募要項の委細については、ウェブサイトをご覧ください。
For the full particulars of the application requirements, please see the website.
契約の委細を記した書類は、来週までにお送りいたします。
The document setting out the particulars of the contract will be sent to you by next week.
Composed of 委 (entrust; detailed) + 細 (thin, fine, detailed). A formal written word meaning "the fine details" or "full particulars" of a matter. In modern Japanese it lives mainly in set phrases used in business correspondence, job advertisements, and legal notices.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 委細面談: details to be discussed in person — a standard phrase in recruiting ads meaning "we'll give you the details when you come in"
- 委細は後日: details (will follow) at a later date
- 委細承知: understood in full detail — a somewhat old-fashioned phrase meaning "I fully understand the situation"
- 委細構わず: regardless of the details; without worrying about particulars
- 委細を記す: to set out the details (in writing)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 詳細: details — by far the most common everyday word for "details." Use 詳細 in almost all contexts; 委細 is reserved for formal or fixed-phrase use.
- 子細: details; particulars — another literary word, largely interchangeable with 委細 in set phrases.
- 内訳: breakdown — the itemized components of a total (e.g., of a bill or budget).
USAGE:
Because the word is formal and slightly old-fashioned, using it in casual speech sounds odd. It is best learned as part of the set phrases above, especially 委細面談, which you will see constantly in want ads. When you simply want to say "the details," use 詳細.