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丝毫 (sī háo) — (used with negatives) the slightest bit; at all

Definition

A formal, written measure of the smallest possible amount, used almost only in negatives. 根本 is stronger and more colloquial; 并 just emphasizes a following negation.

adjective
(used with negatives) the slightest bitat all

Examples

  • 丝毫。
    Tā duì zhè ge xiāo xi sī háo bù gǎn dào yì wài.
    He is not at all surprised by this news.
  • 丝毫。
    Zhè jiàn shì yǔ wǒ méi yǒu sī háo guān xì.
    This matter has nothing whatsoever to do with me.
  • ，丝毫。
    Jǐn guǎn shī bài le, tā sī háo méi yǒu fàng qì.
    Despite failing, he did not give up in the slightest.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

丝sīthread
毫háohair

丝 and 毫 both denote very fine things, giving the sense of the slightest bit.

Characters in this word

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 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 5Quantity & Amount

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