Japanese word

徹底

Pronunciation

Romajitettei

Meaning

  • nounthoroughness

Example

手洗いを徹底します。te ara i o tet tei shi ma su

We will make sure to wash our hands thoroughly.

Illustration for 徹底 (thoroughness)

More examples

店長は新しい規則の徹底を求めました。ten chō wa atara shi i ki soku no tet tei o moto me ma shi ta

The store manager called for the thorough implementation of the new rules.

Core concept

It describes carrying something through to every relevant part so that nothing is left incomplete or out of line.

Common phrases

  • 徹底を図るtet tei o haka ru

    promote thorough implementation

  • 徹底した確認tet tei shi ta kaku nin

    thorough checking

  • 徹底して行うtet tei shi te okona u

    carry out thoroughly

Definition in Japanese

物事を最後まで行き届かせ、抜けや不備のない状態にすること。mono goto o sai go ma de i ki todo ka se nu ke ya fu bi no na i jō tai ni su ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 徹底 (tettei) combines 徹 (tetsu, "penetrate") and 底 (tei, "bottom"), expressing the idea of reaching all the way to the bottom.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 徹底的 (tetteiteki) commonly modifies an action to mean that it is carried out fully and without omissions.

Other meanings

  • completenessnoun
  • consistencynoun

Opposites

  • 不徹底futetteiincompletenessnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word