siu2 zit3小節小节
Jyutpingsiu2 zit3
Yalesíu jit
Definition
Minor detail, trifle, or small matter of little importance.
neutralotherwork
How it's used
Focuses on the trivial aspects of a situation or plan rather than the core issue. It is frequently used in the idiom 不拘小節, which describes someone who is broad-minded and does not get bogged down by formalities or minor rules. When used in a professional context, it often implies that a detail is not worth the time or effort being spent on it.
Examples
Don't be so hung up on these minor details.
What minor details do you think need changing in this plan?
Related words
Common phrases
not bother about small matters
to fuss over trifles
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 小節 as a musical term, which refers to a musical bar or measure. In everyday speech, it is almost exclusively used to refer to unimportant trifles or procedural details.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
