small but formidable; short and powerful
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesidiom
(of a person) short in stature but smart and capable
commendatoryUsed to describe a person who may be physically short but possesses great intelligence, vigor, or ability. Often used in a commendatory sense.
Bié别
kàn看
tā他
gè个
zi子
bù不
gāo高
，
què却
shì是
wǒ我
men们
tuán团
duì队
lǐ里
duǎn短
xiǎo小
jīng精
hàn悍
de的
gàn干
jiàng将
。
Although he is not tall, he is the smart and capable key member of our team.
Zhè这
wèi位
jiāng将
jūn军
shēn身
cái材
duǎn短
xiǎo小
jīng精
hàn悍
，
zhǐ指
huī挥
zuò作
zhàn战
què却
yì异
cháng常
yǒng勇
měng猛
。
This general is short in stature but formidable, and exceptionally fierce in commanding battles.
idiom
(of writing, drama, etc.) short in length but powerful and effective
commendatoryUsed to praise concise and impactful works that deliver a strong message without being verbose.
Zhè这
piān篇
shè社
lùn论
duǎn短
xiǎo小
jīng精
hàn悍
，
yī一
zhēn针
jiàn见
xiě血
de地
zhǐ指
chū出
le了
wèn问
tí题
de的
guān关
jiàn键
。
This editorial is short and powerful, hitting the nail on the head regarding the crux of the problem.
Zhè这
bù部
dú独
mù幕
jù剧
duǎn短
xiǎo小
jīng精
hàn悍
，
qíng情
jié节
jǐn紧
còu凑
，
gěi给
guān观
zhòng众
liú留
xià下
le了
shēn深
kè刻
yìn印
xiàng象
。
This one-act play is short and powerful, with a tight plot that left a deep impression on the audience.
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Tā他
de的
yǎn演
jiǎng讲
fēng风
gé格
jiù就
shì是
duǎn短
xiǎo小
jīng精
hàn悍
，
jué绝
bù不
shuō说
fèi废
huà话
。
His speaking style is concise and powerful; he never says anything unnecessary.