大惊小怪
大惊小怪 (dà jīng xiǎo guài) literally means “big surprise small strange” and expresses “make a fuss about nothing”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: da jing xiao guai, da jing xiao guai,大惊小怪 meaning, 大惊小怪 in english
Make a fuss about nothing
Pronunciation: dà jīng xiǎo guài
Literal meaning: Big surprise small strange
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes making big (大) surprise (惊) over small (小) strange things (怪) - overreacting to minor matters. The phrase criticizes disproportionate responses to insignificant events. It appeared in Ming Dynasty texts criticizing those who lacked composure. The contrast between 'big' surprise and 'small' cause highlights the mismatch. Modern usage gently criticizes unnecessary alarm or excessive reactions to trivial matters, encouraging proportionate responses.
Examples
English: "Don't make such a fuss over a minor mistake."
Chinese: 不要为小错误大惊小怪。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 大惊小怪 mean in English?
大惊小怪 (dà jīng xiǎo guài) literally translates to “Big surprise small strange” and is used to express “Make a fuss about nothing”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 大惊小怪 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving make a fuss about nothing.
What is the pinyin for 大惊小怪?
The pinyin pronunciation for 大惊小怪 is “dà jīng xiǎo guài”.