to dwarf; to stunt; to belittle
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesverb
to dwarf; to stunt (plant growth); to make short and compact
technicalPrimarily an agricultural/gardening term for controlling plant size.
Tōng通
guò过
ǎi矮
huà化
zāi栽
péi培
，
guǒ果
shù树
gèng更
róng容
yì易
cǎi采
zhāi摘
。
Through dwarf cultivation, fruit trees become easier to harvest.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
jì技
shù术
kě可
yǐ以
ǎi矮
huà化
guān观
shǎng赏
zhí植
wù物
，
shì适
hé合
pén盆
zāi栽
。
This technique can dwarf ornamental plants, making them suitable for potted cultivation.
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Ǎi矮
huà化
zhēn砧
mù木
cháng常
yòng用
yú于
píng苹
guǒ果
zhòng种
zhí植
。
Dwarfing rootstocks are commonly used in apple cultivation.
verb
to belittle; to disparage; to downplay; to undervalue
neutralMetaphorical extension from the agricultural meaning. Often used in competitive or comparative contexts.
Tā他
gù故
yì意
ǎi矮
huà化
duì对
shǒu手
de的
shí实
lì力
，
yǐ以
xiǎn显
shì示
zì自
jǐ己
de的
qiáng强
dà大
。
He deliberately belittled his opponent's strength to show off his own power.
Zài在
bǐ比
jiào较
zhōng中
，
wǒ我
men们
bù不
néng能
ǎi矮
huà化
zì自
jǐ己
de的
chéng成
jiù就
。
In comparisons, we must not downplay our own achievements.
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Tā他
de的
píng评
lùn论
chōng充
mǎn满
le了
ǎi矮
huà化
tā他
rén人
gòng贡
xiàn献
de的
piān偏
jiàn见
。
His comments were full of bias that disparaged the contributions of others.
Qiān千
wàn万
bù不
néng能
zì自
wǒ我
ǎi矮
huà化
，
yào要
duì对
zì自
jǐ己
yǒu有
xìn信
xīn心
。
You must never undervalue yourself; you need to have confidence.