na-adjective
diligent; attentive; frequent and careful
Describes doing small tasks diligently, frequently, and without neglecting details. Often used for habits like cleaning, checking, or communicating.
彼女はこまめに掃除をするので、部屋がいつもきれいだ。
She cleans diligently, so her room is always tidy.
こまめに水分をとることが大切です。
It's important to drink water frequently and attentively.
まめ means diligent or hardworking in a general sense, while こまめ emphasizes frequent, attentive care to small details.
The word is a compound of 小 (small) and まめ (diligent), emphasizing meticulous attention to small, frequent tasks. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.