‘详述’ is a compound verb meaning ‘to describe in detail’ or ‘to elaborate on something thoroughly.’ The first character 详 (xiáng) means ‘detailed,’ ‘thorough,’ or ‘comprehensive,’ while the second character 述 (shù) means ‘to state,’ ‘to narrate,’ or ‘to recount.’ Together, they emphasize not just stating facts but doing so with depth, clarity, and completeness — often including supporting points, examples, or background information. It’s commonly used in formal writing, academic contexts, reports, presentations, and professional communication where precision and completeness matter.

This word carries a slightly formal or literary register and is rarely used in casual spoken Chinese (where simpler alternatives like ‘说清楚’ or ‘讲详细点’ are preferred). It frequently appears after subjects such as ‘他’ ‘老师’ ‘报告’ or ‘文章,’ and often takes a direct object indicating what is being elaborated — for example, ‘问题’ ‘原因’ ‘过程’ or ‘背景.’ It can also appear in imperative or instructional language, especially in educational or workplace settings.