詳細
shōsai[ɕo̞ːsa̠i]
The English phrase "details" is translated into Japanese as 詳細 (shōsai).
The term refers to specific pieces of information or facts about a subject.
Which one should you use?
While 詳細 is a noun meaning "details", the related word 詳しい is an i-adjective used to describe someone or something as being "detailed" or "knowledgeable".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word 詳細 is a formal term for "details". You can also use 細部 as an appropriate formal term, especially when referring to minute details or fine parts of a structure or design. In casual conversations, it is common to use the phrase 詳しいこと to refer to "details".
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the word as an adverb meaning "in detail", you can create the form 詳細に by adding the particle に to the noun 詳細.
How do you pronounce it?
shōsai
Did you know?
- The word 細かい (komakai) can also be used as a personality trait to describe a person who is 'fussy' or 'overly concerned' with tiny details.
- In Japanese business culture, asking for 詳細 can sometimes be interpreted as a subtle way of signaling that the current explanation is insufficient or lacks substance.
- The word 詳細 shares the character 詳 with the word for 'explanation' 説明. This links the concept of providing 'details' directly to the act of explaining something to someone else.
Examples in context
- 詳細が欲しい。I want details.This sentence shows how to express a desire for details using 詳細.Tatoeba #3552055 by arnab, translation #2011293 by CK
- 詳細を教えてください。Give me the details.This sentence demonstrates a way to ask someone to provide details using 詳細.Tatoeba #7577137 by Iwashi, translation #1491976 by Plangam
- 全てを詳細にお話しいただけますか？Could you tell me all the details?This sentence illustrates a polite request to have all the details explained using 詳細.Tatoeba #11708374 by bunbuku, translation #3201911 by CK
- 申し込みに関する詳細をお知らせください。Please provide the details regarding the application.
- 計画の細部まで明確に説明してください。Please explain the plan in detail.
- その映画の詳しいことを教えてくれる？Can you tell me the details about that movie?
- 明日のパーティーについてちょっとした情報があるんだけど。I have some minor details about tomorrow's party.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are discussing a travel plan at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren旅行の詳細は決まった？ryokou no shousai wa kimatta?Have the details of the trip been decided?
- 結衣 Yuiまだ、詳細は調べているところだよ。mada, shousai wa shirabete iru tokoro da yo.Not yet, I'm still looking into the details.
- 蓮 Renわかった。分かったら教えてね。wakatta. wakattara oshiete ne.Okay. Let me know when you know.
- 結衣 Yuiうん、すぐに連絡するね。un, sugu ni renraku suru ne.Yeah, I'll contact you soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 詳細, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
