siu2 gaa1 zi2小家子
Jyutpingsiu2 gaa1 zi2
Yalesíu gā jí
Definition
Stingy, narrow-minded, or lacking in generosity and scale.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes someone who is overly concerned with trivial matters or lacks a sense of generosity in social interactions. It carries a stronger sense of social criticism than simply being stingy, as it implies a lack of maturity or broad-mindedness. While it can refer to money, it is frequently used to describe someone who holds grudges or makes a big deal out of minor inconveniences.
Examples
Don't be so petty about things.
He is usually generous, how could he be petty?
Related words
Common phrases
to behave in a petty manner
Common mistake
Avoid confusing this with 孤寒, which specifically refers to being stingy with money. 小家子 focuses more on the personality trait of being petty or narrow-minded in general behavior.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.



