小心翼翼
小心翼翼 (xiǎo xīn yì yì) literally means “small heart wing wing” and expresses “act with extreme caution and care”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: xiao xin yi yi, xiao xin yi yi,小心翼翼 meaning, 小心翼翼 in english
Act with extreme caution and care
Pronunciation: xiǎo xīn yì yì Literal meaning: Small heart wing wing
Origin & Usage
From the ancient verses of the 'Book of Songs' (1000-600 BCE) comes this image of approaching tasks with a cautious heart (小心) and bird-like alertness (翼翼). Court officials first used it to describe navigating treacherous political environments. Han Dynasty writers expanded its use to describe handling anything precious or fragile. The avian metaphor perfectly captured the combination of focused attention and readiness to retreat from danger. Modern conservators and diplomats still embody this careful approach where one wrong move could cause irreparable damage.
When to Use
Situation: The restoration expert handled the ancient manuscript with extreme caution
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
七手八脚
qī shǒu bā jiǎo
Many people busily working together in disorder
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心地善良
xīn dì shàn liáng
Fundamentally kind and virtuous character
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杀鸡取卵
shā jī qǔ luǎn
Sacrifice long-term benefits for short-term gains
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背水一战
bèi shuǐ yī zhàn
Fight with total commitment having no retreat
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 小心翼翼 mean in English?
小心翼翼 (xiǎo xīn yì yì) literally translates to “Small heart wing wing” and is used to express “Act with extreme caution and care”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 小心翼翼 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving act with extreme caution and care.
What is the pinyin for 小心翼翼?
The pinyin pronunciation for 小心翼翼 is “xiǎo xīn yì yì”.