一丝一毫 (yī sī yī háo) — (set phrase) not a single bit, the slightest amount (used in negative constructions)

Definition

A set phrase meaning 'not a single bit, the slightest amount' — almost always used in negative sentences to stress that something is absolutely not the case.

noun
(set phrase) not a single bitthe slightest amount (used in negative constructions)

Examples

  • 一丝一毫。
    Tā duì zhè jiàn shì méi yǒu yī sī yī háo de xìng qù.
    He doesn't have the slightest bit of interest in this matter.
  • 一丝一毫。
    Zhè ge jì huà bù néng yǒu yī sī yī háo de chā cuò.
    There cannot be any trace of error in this plan.
  • 一丝一毫。
    Tā de tài dù méi yǒu yī sī yī háo de gǎi biàn.
    Her attitude hasn't changed one bit.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

一丝one thread
一yīone丝sīthread
偏正Modifier + head
一毫one hair
一yīone毫háohair
偏正Modifier + head

一丝 is one thread and 一毫 is one hair, together indicating the smallest amount.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 絲; 丝 is its simplified writing.

  • 糸糸mì
  • 糸糸mì

In the traditional form 絲, the shape is two 糸 written together; this is about 絲, not the simplified 丝.

Open 丝 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The written form 毫 is built from 高 and 毛.

Open 毫 →

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