详细地说 (xiáng xì de shuō)

adverbial phrase HSK 4

Traditional 詳細地說

xiáng xì de shuō

to explain in detail · to elaborate · to speak in detail

Meaning

This phrase means 'to speak in detail' or 'to elaborate on something.' It combines 详细 (detailed/in detail), the structural particle 地 that marks adverbial phrases, and 说 (to say/speak). It's commonly used when introducing a more thorough explanation or when someone needs to provide comprehensive information about a topic.

Usage

Often used at the beginning of sentences or as a transition when the speaker is about to provide more comprehensive information. Can also appear as 详细说 (without 地) in casual speech. Frequently paired with 一下 to soften the request or statement, as in 详细地说一下. Common in both written and formal spoken contexts.

Examples

01
请你详细地说一下这个项目的计划。
Qǐng nǐ xiáng xì de shuō yī xià zhè ge xiàng mù de jì huà.
Please explain the plan for this project in detail.
02
我详细地说了事情的经过，但他还是不明白。
Wǒ xiáng xì de shuō le shì qíng de jīng guò, dàn tā hái shì bù míng bái.
I explained the whole process in detail, but he still didn't understand.

Characters

Common collocations

详细地说明
xiáng xì de shuō míng
to explain in detail
详细地说一下
xiáng xì de shuō yī xià
to briefly elaborate in detail
详细地说来
xiáng xì de shuō lái
speaking in detail

Antonyms

Origin

The phrase builds on 详细 (detailed), a compound meaning 'detailed/thorough,' where 详 originally meant 'detailed' and 细 meant 'fine/minute.' The particle 地 connects adjectives to verbs in an adverbial relationship, making 详细 modify the verb 说.