ceoi1 mou4 kau4 ci1吹毛求疵
Jyutpingceoi1 mou4 kau4 ci1
Yalechēui mòuh kàuh chī
Definition
To nitpick; to find fault with every detail and demand perfection.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, describing someone who is excessively critical of minor details. It is often used to characterize a difficult boss or a perfectionist who makes life miserable for those around them. While it is a formal four-character idiom, it is frequently used in daily speech to complain about someone's behavior.
Examples
He is so nitpicky at work that he makes everyone feel very stressed.
Do you really have to be this nitpicky? You won't even let a tiny flaw slide.
Related words
Common phrases
to have a nitpicky personality
to nitpick at someone
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use this to describe someone who is simply detail-oriented or careful, but it specifically implies an unreasonable or annoying level of scrutiny that hinders progress.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
