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穿小鞋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
穿小鞋chuānxiǎoxiélit. to make sb wear tight shoes (idiom)HSK 7, unknown, 27 strokes, rank #54118, Very Hard
穿小鞋chuānxiǎoxiéto make life difficult for sbHSK 7, unknown, 27 strokes, rank #54118, Very Hard
chuānxiǎoxié(chuan1xiao3xie2)chuan xiao xie T1
  1. 1lit. to make sb wear tight shoes (idiom)
  2. 2to make life difficult for sb
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March 24, 2026

穿小鞋chuānxiǎoxié(chuan1xiao3xie2)

The idiom 穿小鞋 (chuan1 xiao3 xie2) literally means 'to make someone wear tight shoes,' which conveys the idea of making someone's life difficult or uncomfortable. It is often used to describe situations where someone is intentionally making things harder for another person, often out of jealousy or resentment.

Strokes27Frequency#54118DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, interpersonal relationships are significant, and the concept of making someone's life difficult can often reflect deeper social dynamics, such as competition or hierarchy in the workplace. This idiom highlights the importance of harmony and the potential disruption caused by negative actions.

Memory tip

Imagine a person forced to wear tight, uncomfortable shoes that pinch their feet, making it difficult for them to walk. This vivid image symbolizes the discomfort and challenges caused by someone's actions, helping you remember that 穿小鞋 means to make life difficult for someone.

Meanings of 穿小鞋

chuānxiǎoxié(chuan1xiao3xie2)
1lit. to make sb wear tight shoes (idiom)
2to make life difficult for sb
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About 穿小鞋

穿小鞋Simplified
27Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 穿小鞋

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in informal contexts, especially when discussing interpersonal relationships or workplace dynamics. Be careful not to confuse it with similar idioms that imply simple criticism; 穿小鞋 specifically denotes a more malicious intent. The tone should match the seriousness of the situation.

HSK Study Tips

While this idiom may not be in the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to themes of relationships and social interactions found in higher levels. Students should focus on understanding its connotation and usage in context rather than just memorizing it.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 穿小鞋 to describe general criticism rather than intentional harm. For example, saying '他对我穿小鞋因为我做错了' (He made life difficult for me because I made a mistake) is incorrect; instead, it should be used only when referring to deliberate actions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 穿小鞋

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Component characters

穿chuānto bore through
HSK 19 strokes穴
View full entry
小xiǎosmall
HSK 13 strokes小
View full entry
鞋xiéshoe
HSK 315 strokes革
View full entry

How to say lit. to make sb wear tight shoes (idiom) in Chinese

“lit. to make sb wear tight shoes (idiom)” in Chinese is穿小鞋chuānxiǎoxié

The idiom 穿小鞋 (chuan1 xiao3 xie2) literally means 'to make someone wear tight shoes,' which conveys the idea of making someone's life difficult or uncomfortable. It is often used to describe situations where someone is intentionally making things harder for another person, often out of jealousy or resentment.

When to use 穿小鞋

This idiom is often used in informal contexts, especially when discussing interpersonal relationships or workplace dynamics. Be careful not to confuse it with similar idioms that imply simple criticism; 穿小鞋 specifically denotes a more malicious intent. The tone should match the seriousness of the situation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 穿小鞋 to describe general criticism rather than intentional harm. For example, saying '他对我穿小鞋因为我做错了' (He made life difficult for me because I made a mistake) is incorrect; instead, it should be used only when referring to deliberate actions.

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穿
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鞋

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Frequently asked questions about 穿小鞋

It's best to avoid using 穿小鞋 in formal settings, as it is more suited for casual conversations.

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