Correct
细心 vs 仔细
/ xìxīn vs zǐxì /
Strokes
Formula
1
仔细仔细 （AABB）
Definition
细心 and 仔细 both are Adjectives, which means [careful; attentive].
Example
细心 means "so attentive that attention reaches even small places". 细心 cannot be reduplicated.
In example ③ 细心 can be replaced by 仔细.
1
Dāng
当
yīshēng
医生
yīdìng
一定
yào
要
xìxīn
细心
,
qiānwàn
千万
bù
不
néng
能
shūhudàyì
疏忽大意
。
As a doctor, you must be careful.
2
Tā
他
shì
是
gè
个
xìxīn
细心
rén
人
,
xiǎoshì
小事
yě
也
bùhuì
不会
hūlüè
忽略
。
He is careful and he cannot neglect the trivial.
3
Zhège
这个
rén
人
dǎnzi
胆子
dà
大
,
érqiě
而且
hěn
很
xìxīn
细心
(
zǐxì
仔细
)
,
gōngzuò
工作
hěn
很
yǒu
有
chéngjì
成绩
。
The man is bold and careful and he made great achievements in his work.
4
Nǎinai
奶奶
niánlǎotǐruò
年老体弱
,
xūyào
需要
xìxīn
细心
zhàogu
照顾
。
The granny is old and weak and she needs careful cares.
The meaning of 仔细 is the same as 细心, but it is mostly applied to a person's attitude to business and work. It can be reduplicated in the pattern of AABB):
Sometimes 仔细 can be replaced by 细心 but with different stress. In example ⑥ if 细心 is used, the stress is on being attentive and meticulous.
仔细仔细 （AABB）
5
Tā
他
zuòshì
做事
yǒu
有
jìhuà
计划
,
érqiě
而且
hěn
很
zǐxì
仔细
。
He is planned and careful.
6
Zhàngmù
账目
yào
要
jìde
记得
zǐxì
仔细
(
xìxīn
细心
)
diǎnr
点儿
,
kě
可
bu
不
néng
能
chū
出
wèntí
问题
。
You should keep a detailed account and you're not permitted to make mistakes in it.
7
Wǒ
我
yòu
又
zǐxì
仔细
dì
地
zhǎo
找
le
了
yī
一
biàn
遍
,
háishi
还是
méi
没
zhǎodào
找到
nā
那
zhī
枝
gāngbǐ
钢笔
。
I looked for it again carefully,but found nothing.
8
Tā
他
zǎizǐxìxì
仔仔细细
de
地
kàn
看
le
了
zhè
这
piān
篇
bàogào
报告
,
gǎidòng
改动
le
了
yīxiē
一些
dìfāng
地方
。
He read the report thoroughly and carefully and arouse doubt about it.
To remind someone to be careful and attentive 仔细 can be used, but not 细心.
9
Bān
搬
xiāngzi
箱子
shí
时
zǐxì
仔细
diǎnr
点儿
,
biè
别
bǎ
把
lǐbian
里边
de
的
bōlibēi
玻璃杯
dásuì
打碎
le
了
。
While lifting the box, be careful and don't break the glass in it.
10
Shuōhuà
说话
xiǎo
小
diǎnr
点儿
shēng
声
,
zǐxì
仔细
ràng
让
rén
人
tīngjiàn
听见
。
Please speak in a low voice so as not to be heard.
仔细 can means "frugal", but 细心 do not have such usage.
11
Māma
妈妈
guòrìzi
过日子
yīxiàng
一向
hěn
很
zǐxì
仔细
。
Mother is always frugal.
12
Yòng
用
qian
钱
zǐxì
仔细
diǎnr
点儿
,
biè
别
dàshǒudàjiǎo
大手大脚
de
的
。
Don't be wasteful with your money.