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xiǎo 小 xīn 心 yì 翼 yì 翼

小心翼翼 xiǎo xīn yì yì

very carefully; cautiously

Literally: small heart wing wing

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Origin

From the Book of Songs (Da Ya, Da Ming): 维此文王,小心翼翼 (King Wen was reverent and careful).

How to use it

Adverbial; neutral. Often 小心翼翼地拿/走/说.

Example sentences

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  1. 她小心翼翼地把杯子放在桌子上。
    Tā xiǎo xīn yì yì de bǎ bēizi fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.
    She put the cup down on the table very carefully.
    she small heart wing wing (particle) (object marker) cup put at table on
  2. 路上有冰，大家都小心翼翼地走。
    Lù shàng yǒu bīng, dàjiā dōu xiǎo xīn yì yì de zǒu.
    There's ice on the road, so everyone is walking very cautiously.
    road on have ice, everyone all small heart wing wing (particle) walk

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