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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
Greetings & Politeness

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