Definition
小人 (xiǎo rén) is a noun meaning a mean, petty, or unscrupulous person — someone who acts selfishly or dishonestly, especially behind others' backs. It contrasts with 小气 (xiǎo qi), which is an adjective for stinginess or narrow-mindedness in daily behavior, not moral character. The historical sense of 'low-status person' is now rare; the modern use is always negative.
noun
a meanpettyor unscrupulous persona villain(historical) a person of low social status(archaic) Ime (humble self-reference)
Examples
- ，小人。Tā zǒng shì bèihòu gǎo xiǎo dòngzuò, zhēn shì xiǎo rén.He's always scheming behind people's backs — he's a real petty person.
- ，小人。Zài gǔdài, xiǎo rén yǔ jūnzǐ shì duìlì de liǎng gè jiēcéng.In ancient times, 'petty people' and 'gentlemen' were two opposing social classes.
- 小人，。xiǎo rén dǒudǎn jìn yán, wàng jiāngjūn sān sī.I humbly presume to speak — I hope the general will think twice.
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