小惠 (xiǎo huì) — petty favors

Definition

小惠 refers to small, often self-interested favors used to gain goodwill or influence — usually with a slightly negative tone. It implies a transactional motive, unlike a genuine kind gesture.

noun
petty favors

Examples

  • 小惠。
    Tā jīng cháng yòng xiǎo huì lái lā lǒng tóng shì.
    He often uses petty favors to win over colleagues.
  • 小惠，。
    Zhè zhǒng xiǎo huì suī rán xiǎo, dàn néng ràng rén gǎn dào wēn nuǎn.
    This kind of petty favor, though small, can make people feel warmth.
  • 小惠。
    Bú yào yīn wèi yì diǎn xiǎo huì jiù shī qù yuán zé.
    Don't lose your principles over a small favor.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

小xiǎopetty
惠huìfavor

小 means petty and 惠 means favor or benefit; together small favors.

Characters in this word

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

  • 八八bāto divide; to separate
  • 丨丨gǔnsmall object

The shape of 小 comes from three small dots, later elongated into its strokes; the apparent parts 八 and 丨 are a later way of seeing it.

Open 小 →

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

惠 combines 叀, which gives the sound, with 心 (heart).

Open 惠 →

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