Meaning
细说 means to speak about something in detail or elaborate carefully on a topic. The character 细 means 'fine' or 'detailed', and 说 means 'to speak' or 'to say'. Together they form a word that emphasizes thorough, detailed explanation rather than a brief overview.
Usage
Native speakers use 细说 when they want to provide comprehensive explanations or when discussing complex matters that require careful elaboration. It's more formal than casual speech and often appears in written contexts or thoughtful conversations. Common in phrases like 且听我细说 (let me explain in detail).
Examples
- 01这件事情很复杂，让我慢慢细说。, .This matter is quite complex, let me explain it slowly and in detail.
- 02关于这个项目的具体方案，我们下次会议再细说。', .Regarding the specific plan for this project, we'll elaborate on it in the next meeting.
Characters
Common collocations
- 且听我细说let me explain in detail
- 容我细说allow me to elaborate
- 细说原委to explain the whole story in detail
Antonyms
Origin
The combination literally means 'detailed speaking'. 细 originally depicted silk threads, suggesting fineness and attention to small details. When paired with 说, it creates a verb meaning to speak with the same level of detail and care.