narrow-minded; limited capacity
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
narrow-mindedness; meager talent
literaryThe term originates from ancient measurement vessels (斗 and 筲) of small capacity, used metaphorically to describe a person's limited character or intellect. It is a set phrase and is purely literary.
Cǐ此
děng等
dǒu斗
shāo筲
zhī之
bèi辈
，
bù不
zú足
yǐ以
móu谋
dà大
shì事
。
These people of meager talent are not sufficient to plan important matters.
Tā他
suī虽
yǒu有
cái才
，
dàn但
qì气
liàng量
rú如
dǒu斗
shāo筲
zhī之
qì器
。
Although he has talent, his mind is as narrow as a small vessel.
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Qiè切
mò莫
yǔ与
dǒu斗
shāo筲
zhī之
tú徒
jì计
jiào较
。
Do not bother arguing with petty-minded people.