extremely stingy; miserly
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
extremely stingy or miserly; unwilling to give even the smallest amount
derogatoryFrom 《孟子•尽心上》, describing Yang Zhu's philosophy of extreme self-interest: unwilling to pull out one hair even if it would benefit the world. Highly negative connotation when describing someone's character.
Tā他
wéi为
rén人
yī一
máo毛
bù不
bá拔
，
cóng从
lái来
bù不
qǐng请
kè客
chī吃
fàn饭
。
He is extremely stingy and never treats anyone to dinner.
Zhè这
gè个
lǎo老
bǎn板
duì对
yuán员
gōng工
yī一
máo毛
bù不
bá拔
，
gōng工
zī资
gěi给
de得
hěn很
shǎo少
。
This boss is terribly miserly with his employees and pays very low wages.
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Tā他
suī虽
rán然
hěn很
yǒu有
qián钱
，
què却
shì是
gè个
yī一
máo毛
bù不
bá拔
de的
tiě铁
gōng公
jī鸡
。
Although he is very wealthy, he is a complete miser who won't part with a penny.
Nǐ你
bié别
zhǐ指
wàng望
tā他
juān捐
kuǎn款
，
tā他
shì是
yī一
máo毛
bù不
bá拔
de的
rén人
。
Don't count on him for donations; he is someone who wouldn't give a single cent.