一絲不苟

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Chinese

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a tiny bit not doing things easily or rashly; careful; scrupulous
trad. (一絲不苟) 一絲 不苟
simp. (一丝不苟) 一丝 不苟

Etymology

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From the novel The Scholars, chapter 4:

上司訪知世叔一絲不苟陞遷指日 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
上司访知世叔一丝不苟升迁指日 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
From: Wu Jingzi, The Scholars, 1750 CE
Shàngsī fǎngzhī, jiàn shìshū yīsī bùgǒu, shēngqiān jiù zài zhǐrì. [Pinyin]
When your superior hears about this, seeing that you have been scrupulous in every detail, you will be promoted in no time.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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一絲不苟

  1. to be scrupulous about every detail; to not be the least bit negligent; to not overlook any detail