exact amount; strict and inflexible
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesidiom
exactly the right amount or size; fitting perfectly with neither surplus nor shortage
colloquialOften used with the suffix '-r' (儿) in northern dialects (可丁可卯儿). Also written as 可钉可铆.
Měi每
yuè月
gōng工
zī资
zǒng总
shì是
kě可
dīng丁
kě可
mǎo卯
，
quán全
bù部
huā花
guāng光
。
His monthly salary is always exactly enough to spend, with nothing left over.
Zhè这
kuài块
liào料
zi子
kě可
dīng丁
kě可
mǎo卯
r儿
，
zhèng正
hǎo好
zuò做
yī一
jiàn件
chèn衬
shān衫
。
This piece of fabric is just the right size, exactly enough to make a shirt.
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Shí时
jiān间
ān安
pái排
de得
kě可
dīng丁
kě可
mǎo卯
，
yī一
diǎn点
r儿
fù富
yú余
yě也
méi没
yǒu有
。
The schedule is arranged with no time to spare whatsoever.
idiom
strict and inflexible; rigidly adhering to rules without making exceptions
colloquialDescribes someone who follows regulations meticulously and refuses to bend rules for personal favors.
Tā他
bàn办
shì事
kě可
dīng丁
kě可
mǎo卯
，
cóng从
bù不
gěi给
rén人
kāi开
hòu后
mén门
r儿
。
He handles affairs strictly by the book and never does favors for anyone.
Zhè这
ge个
kuài会
jì计
kě可
dīng丁
kě可
mǎo卯
，
yī一
fēn分
qián钱
yě也
bù不
tōng通
róng融
。
This accountant is completely inflexible and won't allow even a penny's discrepancy.
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Tā他
guǎn管
lǐ理
shàng上
kě可
dīng丁
kě可
mǎo卯
，
shéi谁
yě也
bié别
xiǎng想
zuān钻
kòng空
zi子
。
He is extremely strict in management, and nobody can find any loopholes.