小心翼翼
xiǎo xīn yì yì
Meticulous carefulness
Describes someone acting with extreme caution and meticulousness. It conveys a sense of being very careful to avoid any mistakes or problems, often due to a sense of apprehension or fear of error.
What does 小心翼翼 (xiǎo xīn yì yì) mean?
小心翼翼 (xiǎo xīn yì yì) means "meticulous carefulness" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "careful heart, winged."
Character by character
- 小 xiǎo small; careful
- 心 xīn heart; mind
- 翼 yì wing
- 翼 yì wing
When to use it
Used to characterize actions or behavior that are exceptionally careful, delicate, or gingerly. It applies when someone is handling a task or situation with great attention to detail and a fear of causing harm or making a mistake. It often implies a slight timidity or nervousness alongside the carefulness.
Example
她的活干得很认真，很仔细，总是小心翼翼地生怕出了什么差错。
Tā de huó gàn de hěn rènzhēn, hěn zǐxì, zǒngshì xiǎo xīn yì yì de shēngpà chū le shénme chàcuò.
She worked very diligently and meticulously, always acting with extreme caution, afraid of making any mistake.
Pro tip: The carefulness described by this idiom often stems from a sense of apprehension or fear of making mistakes, rather than merely general prudence.
Related idioms
无论如何 · No matter what习以为常 · Become accustomed to兴高采烈 · Great joy and excitement
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