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AI Study Notes for 一毛不拔
This idiom is typically used in informal contexts to describe someone who is miserly. Be cautious with the tone you use, as calling someone this can be deemed quite rude or harsh. It often collocates with words like '人' (person) or '老板' (boss) to describe stingy individuals in various situations.
This idiom is not part of the official HSK vocabulary lists but can be useful for intermediate learners to enrich their expressive capabilities. Understanding this idiom can help learners grasp common expressions related to money and personality traits in conversational Mandarin.
Learners often confuse the order of tones in this idiom, mistakenly saying 'yi4 mao2 bu4 ba2.' Remember, the correct tones are 'yi1 mao2 bu4 ba2.' Additionally, some may use it in overly formal contexts, where a simpler term would suffice.
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Idiom Spotlight: 一毛不拔
Component Characters
How to say stingy (idiom) in Chinese
“stingy (idiom)” in Chinese is一毛不拔
The idiom 一毛不拔 (yī máo bù bá) literally translates to 'not plucking a single hair,' and it describes a person who is extremely stingy or unwilling to part with even a small amount of money or resources. It is often used in a pejorative sense to criticize someone for their lack of generosity in both personal and professional contexts.
When to use 一毛不拔
This idiom is typically used in informal contexts to describe someone who is miserly. Be cautious with the tone you use, as calling someone this can be deemed quite rude or harsh. It often collocates with words like '人' (person) or '老板' (boss) to describe stingy individuals in various situations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse the order of tones in this idiom, mistakenly saying 'yi4 mao2 bu4 ba2.' Remember, the correct tones are 'yi1 mao2 bu4 ba2.' Additionally, some may use it in overly formal contexts, where a simpler term would suffice.
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Frequently Asked Questions about 一毛不拔
Yes, it's appropriate to describe someone's unwillingness to invest or spend money, but be careful as it can be quite insulting.
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