Translation guide
Describes a person who strives for flawlessness and sets extremely high standards. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and descriptive phrases, with nuances ranging from neutral to negative.
To describe someone who is a perfectionist in a general or neutral sense.
The most direct and common translation. It literally means 'perfection-ism-person' and is widely understood.
He's a perfectionist, so his work is slow.
Similar to 完璧主義者, but slightly less common. '完全' means 'complete/perfect'.
She's a perfectionist and pays attention to every little detail.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a person who seeks perfection'. More conversational than the noun forms.
That person is always a perfectionist, isn't he?
To describe someone who is careful and thorough, without the negative connotation of being obsessive.
A na-adjective meaning methodical, meticulous, or punctilious. Often used positively to describe someone who is orderly and precise.
He has a meticulous personality, and his desk is always tidy.
A phrase meaning 'to notice small details'. Describes someone attentive and thorough.
To describe a perfectionist in a critical way, implying they are too strict or obsessive.
A na-adjective meaning 'nervous' or 'high-strung', often used for someone who is overly sensitive to details and easily stressed.
He's so fussy that he can't tolerate even a small mistake.
An i-adjective meaning 'too detailed' or 'overly meticulous'. Implies excessiveness.
Describes someone who gets deeply absorbed in details and is never satisfied until it's perfect. Can be positive or negative depending on context.
To talk about perfectionism as a characteristic rather than labeling a person.
The noun 'perfectionism'. Use with verbs like 持っている (have) or だ (is).
He has perfectionist tendencies.
A common phrase meaning 'can't be satisfied unless it's perfect'. Describes the perfectionist mindset.
完璧主義者 focuses on the pursuit of perfection, often with a nuance of being demanding or slow. 几帳面 emphasizes orderliness and attention to detail, usually in a positive light. Use 几帳面 for someone who is simply neat and methodical, and 完璧主義者 when the drive for flawlessness is central.
English often uses 'perfectionist' as an adjective (e.g., 'He is very perfectionist'). In Japanese, you cannot directly use 完璧主義者 as an adjective. Instead, use phrases like 完璧主義だ or 完璧を求める.
She notices small details, so her work is careful.
That boss is too much of a perfectionist, and his subordinates get exhausted.
彼は凝り性だから、趣味に没頭すると寝るのも忘れる。
He's such a perfectionist that when he gets into a hobby, he forgets to sleep.
She's the type who isn't satisfied unless it's perfect.