丹念|たんねんtannen[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. na-adjective, nounpainstaking; careful; meticulous; scrupulous; detailed; elaborate
   この本ほんは丹念たんねんに読よまなければならない。↗

   This book should be read with diligence.

• Synonym入念にゅうねんNeutralExtra care and thoroughness, as in 「入念に準備する」. Close to the headword, but 「丹念」 stresses doing something carefully bit by bit.
• Synonym念入りねんいりNeutralA native-Japanese word for careful thoroughness; largely interchangeable with 「丹念」 and common in speech.
• Synonym綿密めんみつWrittenThorough with no gaps, for plans and investigations, as in 「綿密な計画」; 「丹念」 stresses working carefully at each step.
• Synonym細心さいしんNeutralAttention extends to the smallest details; mostly in 「細心の注意」. The emphasis is on caution.
• Synonym緻密ちみつNeutralRigorous, gap-free planning or thinking, or a fine, dense texture; stresses precision with nothing overlooked.
• Synonym精到せいとうWrittenThorough and meticulous, but rare written language; say 「丁寧」 or 「行き届いた」 instead.
• Synonym細緻さいちWrittenFinely detailed, but rare; 「細かい」 or 「きめ細か」 is the usual way to say it.
• Related細密さいみつWrittenExtremely fine in detail, mostly for paintings and depiction, as in 「細密画」; 「丹念」 is about one's attitude in doing things.
• Related精細せいさいWrittenDetails are rich and clear, mostly for images, as in 「高精細」; not about one's attitude to work.
• Related精緻せいちWrittenFinely wrought to the extreme, often for theories and craftsmanship; 「丹念」 is about working carefully.
• Related慎重しんちょうNeutralCautious and careful not to act rashly; the emphasis is on avoiding mistakes, not meticulous care.
• Related丁寧ていねいNeutralCareful and conscientious, but also polite and courteous; the most common everyday word.
• Related注意深いちゅういぶかいNeutralWatchful and alert, stressing observation and vigilance; 「丹念」 stresses the process of working carefully.
• Related詳細しょうさいNeutralDetails and particulars; also a na-adjective meaning detailed. About content, not attitude.
• Related周到しゅうとうWrittenPreparations and care leave nothing out, as in 「用意周到」; stresses thorough consideration.
• Related細かこまかNeutralUsually as 「細かな」: small, fine, or detailed; 「丹念」 stresses the painstaking attitude.
• Related細かいこまかいNeutralSmall or fine, also detailed, and can mean nitpicky; common in speech.
• Related詳密しょうみつWrittenDetailed and thorough, but rare in writing; 「詳細」 or 「細かい」 is what people normally say.
• Relatedきめ細かきめこまかNeutralAttentive care down to the smallest point, as in 「きめ細かなサービス」; also describes fine, smooth skin.
• Related事細かことこまかNeutralExhaustively detailed, for explanations and records, as in 「事細かに説明する」; stresses detailed content.
• Antonym粗雑そざつNeutralRough and sloppily done, the opposite of 「丹念」's painstaking care.
• Antonymいい加減いいかげんCasualColloquial: perfunctory and irresponsible, the opposite of 「丹念」's diligence; also means 'quite' or 'enough'.
• Antonym粗略そりゃくWrittenSlapdash and careless, not taking things seriously; the written-language opposite of 「丹念」.

Use 「丹念」 for doing something painstakingly, bit by bit. In everyday speech 「丁寧」 and 「念入り」 are the usual choices; for airtight plans or investigations pick 「綿密」 or 「緻密」. Words like 「精細」 and 「事細か」 describe detailed content, not attitude. The colloquial opposite is 「いい加減」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 心こころを籠こめて丁寧ていねいにすること。