斤斤计较

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jīn jīn jì jiào
• English Translation: Haggling over every penny (being petty about trifles)
• Idiom Composition: 「斤斤」（In this context, it describes being overly meticulous or fussy about small things (originally meant 'discerning').）＋「计较」（To calculate, haggle, or care deeply about personal interest or disputes.）
• Meaning: To be overly concerned with trivial matters or small personal gains. It describes a narrow-minded or stingy attitude and is almost always used pejoratively.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「斤斤计较」 contains the following nuances:

• Obsession with Trifles: The idiom highlights a focus on insignificant matters or tiny profits rather than the big picture or meaningful goals.
• Narrow-mindedness: It reflects a lack of generosity and a tendency to strictly calculate one's own advantage, which is often seen as a negative personality trait in social contexts.

3. Usage

「斤斤计较」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Financial Stinginess: Used to criticize someone who is stingy, such as someone who insists on splitting a bill to the exact cent even among friends.
  • Example:「大家出来吃饭图个开心，你就别为了几块钱斤斤计较了。」
    （We all came out to eat to have a good time, so stop haggling over every penny for the sake of a few yuan.）
• Interpersonal Tolerance: Refers to someone who cannot let go of small mistakes or holds onto minor grudges instead of being broad-minded.
  • Example:「做人要大度一点，不要总是对别人的小过失斤斤计较。」
    （One should be more magnanimous and not always fuss over the minor mistakes of others.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他这人太斤斤计较，很难跟同事相处。
   （He is so petty about trifles that it is difficult for him to get along with his colleagues.）
2. 真正的朋友之间是不会斤斤计较得失的。
   （True friends do not meticulously calculate every gain and loss between them.）
3. 与其斤斤计较眼前的利益，不如把目光放长远一些。
   （Instead of obsessing over immediate interests, it is better to take a long-term view.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Evolution of Meaning: The term 斤斤 (jīn jīn) originally appeared in the Book of Songs (诗经) with a positive connotation of being 'discerning' or 'clear-sighted.' Over time, the meaning shifted to the modern negative sense of being 'overly fussy.'
• Social Values: In Chinese culture, being 大气 (dà qi), which means being magnanimous or generous, is highly valued as a sign of good character. Consequently, being described as 斤斤计较 (jīn jīn jì jiào) is a significant criticism of one's temperament.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 锱铢必较 (zī zhū bì jiào): To haggle over the smallest possible amount; even more extreme in its focus on tiny financial gains than 斤斤计较 (jīn jīn jì jiào).
  • 患得患失 (huàn dé huàn shī): To worry excessively about personal gain and loss.link
  • 自私自利 (zì sī zì lì): To be selfish and only care about one's own benefit.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 宽宏大量 (kuān hóng dà liàng): Magnanimous and broad-minded; having the capacity to forgive others' mistakes.
  • 大公无私 (dà gōng wú sī): Selfless and impartial; putting the public interest above one's own.link
  • 顾全大局 (gù quán dà jú): To take the overall situation into consideration.link

6. Summary

The idiom 斤斤计较 (jīn jīn jì jiào) is used to criticize someone who fusses over minor details or insignificant profits. Whether it refers to being stingy with money or being unforgiving in social relationships, it suggests a lack of magnanimity and a focus on the trivial at the expense of the big picture.