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
万无一失
wàn wú yī shī
Absolutely sure; foolproof
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密不透风
mì bù tòu fēng
Airtight; impenetrable
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天罗地网
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Inescapable net; dragnet
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恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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势在必行
shì zài bì xíng
Be imperative; must be done
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稳扎稳打
wěn zhā wěn dǎ
Proceed steadily; consolidate before advancing
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言行一致
yán xíng yī zhì
Practice what you preach
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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”.