How to say "thorough" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 念入りねんいりna-adjective, nounFor 'thorough' meaning painstaking — done with deliberate care and attention. It stresses the care invested in the process rather than completeness, as in preparation or checking done with extra pains.
- 徹底的てっていてきna-adjectiveThe closest fit for 'thorough' as exhaustive and complete — going all the way and leaving nothing out. Typical context: a search, investigation, or overhaul pursued to the very end.
- 周到しゅうとうna-adjective, noun'Thorough' in the sense of meticulous foresight — planning or preparing so that nothing is overlooked. Typical context: preparations or plans that leave nothing to chance.
- 綿密めんみつna-adjective, noun'Thorough' as minute and detailed — covering every small point. Typical context: an examination, survey, or plan worked out down to the last detail.
- 丁寧ていねいna-adjective, nounChiefly 'polite' or 'careful and conscientious'; as a rendering of 'thorough' it is marginal. Use it only when 'thorough' just means done with care, never for exhaustive senses.
Choose 徹底的 for exhaustive, leave-nothing-out action, 綿密 for minute detail, 周到 for meticulous preparation, and 「念入り」 for painstaking care; 丁寧 chiefly means polite or careful and is only marginally 'thorough'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
