微不足道
微不足道 (wēi bù zú dào) literally means “tiny not worth mentioning” and expresses “insignificant; not worth mentioning”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: wei bu zu dao, wei bu zu dao,微不足道 meaning, 微不足道 in english
Insignificant; not worth mentioning
Pronunciation: wēi bù zú dào
Literal meaning: Tiny not worth mentioning
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes something so tiny (微) that it's not (不) worth (足) mentioning (道). It emphasizes extreme insignificance or negligibility. The phrase appeared in texts using self-deprecation or describing genuinely minor matters. It can express humility when self-referential or dismissal when describing others' contributions. Modern usage describes things so small or unimportant they don't merit attention, from minor inconveniences to trivial contributions.
Examples
English: "His contribution to the project was negligible."
Chinese: 他对项目的贡献微不足道。
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Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
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Travel a great distance
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Prosperous people and powerful nation
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Golden age of peace and prosperity
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Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 微不足道 mean in English?
微不足道 (wēi bù zú dào) literally translates to “Tiny not worth mentioning” and is used to express “Insignificant; not worth mentioning”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 微不足道 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving insignificant; not worth mentioning.
What is the pinyin for 微不足道?
The pinyin pronunciation for 微不足道 is “wēi bù zú dào”.