harsh and nitpicky; showing off one's cleverness
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 3 examplesverb
to scrutinize excessively; to be harshly critical and nitpicky
literaryDescribes an overly detailed, harsh, and often unreasonable examination or critique. Used in classical or formal contexts.
Wéi为
zhèng政
bù不
yí宜
kē苛
chá察
，
yīng应
míng明
chá察
qiū秋
háo毫
ér而
kuān宽
hòu厚
dài待
rén人
。
In governance, one should not scrutinize excessively but instead be discerning yet magnanimous to others.
Tā他
duì对
xià下
shǔ属
kē苛
chá察
guò过
shèn甚
，
shǐ使
dé得
rén人
rén人
zì自
wēi危
。
He scrutinized his subordinates too harshly, making everyone feel insecure.
verb
to show off one's astuteness; to demonstrate excessive cleverness
literaryImplies showing off one's sharp intellect in a petty or nitpicking manner, often to the annoyance of others.
Tā他
xǐ喜
huān欢
zài在
huì会
yì议
shàng上
kē苛
chá察
xì细
jié节
，
yǐ以
xiǎn显
shì示
zì自
jǐ己
bǐ比
bié别
rén人
gāo高
míng明
。
He likes to nitpick details in meetings to show he is cleverer than others.