petty cleverness; small tricks (derogatory)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
petty cleverness; showing off one's cleverness in trivial matters (often derogatory)
derogatoryCommonly used in the phrase '耍小聪明' to describe someone trying to be clever in a petty way, often to avoid work or responsibility. Carries a strong negative connotation of being shortsighted or cunning.
Tā他
zǒng总
shì是
ài爱
shuǎ耍
xiǎo小
cōng聪
ming明
，
jié结
guǒ果
fǎn反
ér而
chī吃
le了
dà大
kuī亏
。
He always loves to play petty tricks, but in the end he suffers big losses instead.
Zuò做
rén人
yào要
hòu厚
dao道
，
bù不
yào要
shuǎ耍
xiǎo小
cōng聪
ming明
。
One should be honest and kind, not play petty tricks.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Nǐ你
yǐ以
wéi为
shuǎ耍
xiǎo小
cōng聪
ming明
néng能
piàn骗
guò过
lǎo老
shī师
ma吗
？
Do you think you can fool the teacher with petty tricks?
Zhè这
zhǒng种
xiǎo小
cōng聪
ming明
zhǐ只
huì会
ràng让
rén人
tǎo讨
yàn厌
。
This kind of petty cleverness only makes people dislike you.