# 一丝不苟

yī sī bù gǒu

Work with meticulous care

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Not careless about even one thread

**Traditional Chinese:** 一絲不苟

**Register:** Appreciative · general

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Praise attention to every relevant detail.

Care should remain proportionate to the task.

## Understanding the expression

A single thread is small enough to overlook, yet the expression insists on care even there. Modern use praises precise, responsible work in tasks where details matter. It suits checking records, making objects, studying, and following procedures. The emphasis is diligence rather than slowness. Someone can work quickly and still be meticulous if their method reliably catches errors. Good judgment also distinguishes essential details from distractions that add no value.

## Examples

她一丝不苟地检查数据。

### Traditional Chinese

她一絲不苟地檢查數據。

tā yī sī bù gǒu dì jiǎn chá shù jù 。

She checks the data meticulously.

师傅做工一丝不苟。

### Traditional Chinese

師傅做工一絲不苟。

shī fu zuò gōng yī sī bù gǒu 。

The craftsperson works with meticulous care.

他一丝不苟地整理档案。

### Traditional Chinese

他一絲不苟地整理檔案。

tā yī sī bù gǒu dì zhěng lǐ dàng àn 。

He organizes the records carefully.

这份报告体现了一丝不苟的态度。

### Traditional Chinese

這份報告體現了一絲不苟的態度。

zhè fèn bào gào tǐ xiàn le yī sī bù gǒu de tài dù 。

This report shows meticulous care.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%80%E7%B5%B2%E4%B8%8D%E8%8B%9F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=236&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [一心一意 yī xīn yī yì With undivided attention or commitment ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-xin-yi-yi)

- [一语道破 yī yǔ dào pò Reveal the essential point in one concise remark ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-yu-dao-po)

- [一朝一夕 yī zhāo yī xī A very short period of time ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-zhao-yi-xi)

- [应对如流 yìng duì rú liú Answer readily and fluently ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ying-dui-ru-liu)

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