細(こま)かいことを言(い)う

こまかいことをいう
expression
to nitpick; to be fussy about details
communication
1. to nitpick; to be fussy about details; to split hairs
To point out or complain about small, trivial matters. Often used with a mildly negative nuance, implying that the person is being overly particular or pedantic about things that don't really matter.
そんな細(こま)かいことを言(い)わないで。
Don't be so nitpicky.
彼(かれ)はいつも細(こま)かいことを言(い)うので、周(まわ)りから嫌(きら)われている。
He's always nitpicking, so people around him don't like him.
細(こま)かいことを言(い)うようだけど、書類(しょるい)の日付(ひづけ)が間違(まちが)っているよ。
I don't mean to nitpick, but the date on the document is wrong.

A common set phrase built from 細(こま)かい (detailed, fine) + こと (things) + を + 言(い)う (to say). The expression is used both to criticize someone for being overly particular and as a self-deprecating hedge when pointing something out oneself.

The hedge pattern 細(こま)かいことを言(い)うようだけど... (I don't mean to nitpick, but...) is very common in workplace settings and polite conversation when one needs to raise a minor issue without seeming difficult.

Common patterns

  • 細(こま)かいことを言(い)わないで: don't nitpick
  • 細(こま)かいことを言(い)うようだけど: I don't mean to nitpick, but...
  • 細(こま)かいことばかり言(い)う: to always nitpick
  • 細(こま)かいことを言(い)い出(だ)す: to start nitpicking

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 口(くち)うるさい (nagging)
Compare: 重箱(じゅうばこ)の隅(すみ)をつつく (to poke at the corners of a stacked box)
general
Added 2026.5.1 1:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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