毫厘 (háo lí) — the least bit; an iota; a tiny amount or margin

Definition

Literary noun for an extremely tiny amount or margin — almost always used in the fixed phrase 毫厘之差 or the saying 失之毫厘，谬以千里. Don't use it for ordinary 'a little'; say 一点 or 一些.

noun

the least bitan iotaa tiny amount or margin

Examples

毫厘。
Tā de jì suàn háo lí bú chà.
His calculation is not off by a hair.
毫厘。
Zhè liǎng gè fāng àn zhǐ yǒu háo lí zhī chà.
There is only the slightest difference between these two plans.
毫厘，。
Shī zhī háo lí, miù yǐ qiān lǐ.
A small error at the start can lead to a huge mistake later.

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