佌 (cǐ) - Small & petty

佌Tone 3

cǐ ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 亻

橙丁

佌 · cǐ

Small;

petty;

insignificant;

despicable;

mean.

Smallpettyinsignificant

Usage highlights

Petty and despicableMean personInsignificant lifeSmall dwellingPetty official

Synonyms

  • 小— small; little
  • 微— tiny; insignificant
  • 鄙— despicable; mean

Antonyms

  • 大— big; great
  • 伟— great; mighty
  • 尊— respected; honorable

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is a petty and despicable person (佌佌小人).
  • They live in a small and cramped house (佌佌之居).
  • The poem describes a mean and insignificant life (佌佌之生).

Collocations

  • Petty and despicable(佌佌)
  • Mean person(佌人)
  • Insignificant life(佌佌之生)
  • Small dwelling(佌佌之居)
  • Petty official(佌官)

Idioms

  • Petty and despicable(佌佌小人)
  • Mean and insignificant(佌佌之微)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Appears in classical Chinese poetry, notably in the Book of Songs.
  • Often used to describe people or things of low status, quality, or moral character.
  • Rarely used in modern Chinese except in literary or formal contexts.

FAQ