HSK · Level 122
47 words
Chinese word
一毛不拔
Pronunciation
Pinyinyī máo bù bá
Meaning
- idiomstingy
Example
他真是一毛不拔，什么都不愿意给。tā zhēn shì yì máo bù bá shén me dōu bú yuàn yì gěi
He is really stingy and is unwilling to give anything.
More examples
在聚餐结账时，他总是显得一毛不拔。zài jù cān jié zhàng shí tā zǒng shì xiǎn de yì máo bù bá
When paying the bill at a group meal, he always seems stingy.
Core concept
Clings to even the smallest share instead of releasing it to someone else.
Common phrases
在金钱上一毛不拔zài jīn qián shàng yì máo bù bá
stingy with money
一毛不拔的人yì máo bù bá de rén
a stingy person
Similar words
铁公鸡tiě gōng jī: Being so stingy that contributing or paying even a little feels unacceptable.
锱铢必较zī zhū bì jiào: Holding firmly to every tiny financial claim and arguing rather than yielding.
斤斤计较jīn jīn jì jiào: Focusing too much on petty details and carefully calculating every gain or loss.
Definition in Chinese
用来形容人在金钱或物品上极为吝啬，哪怕是一点儿小东西也不愿意拿出来给别人，语气常带责备意味。yòng lái xíng róng rén zài jīn qián huò wù pǐn shàng jí wéi lìn sè nǎ pà shì yì diǎnr xiǎo dōng xī yě bú yuàn yì ná chū lái gěi bié rén yǔ qì cháng dài zé bèi yì wèi
Word origin
一毛不拔 (yīmáobùbá, "not pluck a single hair") combines one hair with refusal to pull it out, turning a tiny physical loss into a picture of extreme reluctance to part with possessions.
Usage tips
- Because the literal picture is dramatic, the expression usually carries blame rather than a neutral description, even when friends use it jokingly.
Other meanings
- cheapskateidiom
- miseridiom
Opposites
- 慷慨解囊kāng kái jiě nánggive generouslyidiom
- 乐善好施lè shàn hào shībe charitableidiom