丁寧 vs 細やか
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 丁寧
Listen to 細やか
| 丁寧 | 細やか |
|---|---|
tei-NEI adjective | こまやか adjective |
| polite; courteous; careful and considerate in manner | delicate; attentive; meticulous |
How they differ
丁寧 describes careful, polite, or considerate handling in a general way. 細やか suggests especially fine-grained attention, delicacy, or subtle care, and it is often used for service, craftsmanship, feelings, or concern rather than simple politeness.
When to use each
When to use 丁寧: Use 丁寧 for straightforward politeness or carefulness in speech and actions.
When to use 細やか: Use 細やか when you want to emphasize delicate, meticulous, or finely attentive care.
Side-by-side examples
- 彼女は丁寧に字を書いた。
(She wrote the characters carefully.) - 彼女は細やかに気を配った。
(She paid delicate and attentive attention.)
Register & nuance: 細やか is more literary and expressive than 丁寧, and it is less common in simple everyday conversation.