小意思 (xiǎo yì sāi) — (noun) a modest gift or token, often accompanied by modesty when giving it; (noun, colloquial) a trifle, something insignificant
Definition
A set phrase used as a modest reply when giving a small gift ('just a little token, please take it') or downplaying help given to someone ('it's nothing'). The politeness formula — not the gift or favor itself.
noun
a modest gift or tokenoften accompanied by modesty when giving it(noun, colloquial) a triflesomething insignificant
Examples
- 小意思，。Zhè shì wǒ de yì diǎn xiǎo yì sāi, qǐng shōu xià.This is just a small token from me – please accept it.
- ，小意思。Bāng gè máng ér yǐ, duì wǒ lái shuō jiù shì xiǎo yì sāi lā.Just helping out – it's no big deal to me.
- 小意思，。Tā sòng le gè xiǎo yì sāi, dàn wǒ jué de lǐ wù hěn guì zhòng.He gave a small token, but I thought the gift was very generous.
Appears in
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