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zī 锱 zhū 铢 bì 必 jiào 较

锱铢必较 zī zhū bì jiào

to haggle over every penny; penny-pinching

Literally: zi zhu must compare

Advanced 💼 Work & money
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Origin

锱 and 铢 were tiny ancient units of weight; the phrase appears in Cheng Yi's commentary in the Song dynasty describing men who quarrel over trifles.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; negative. Often 在小事上锱铢必较.

Example sentences

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  1. 他在金钱上锱铢必较，连朋友请客都要算清楚。
    Tā zài jīnqián shàng zī zhū bì jiào, lián péngyou qǐngkè dōu yào suàn qīngchu.
    He haggles over every penny, even wanting to settle accounts when a friend treats him.
    he at money on zi zhu must compare, even friend treat all want calculate clear
  2. 做生意可以精打细算，但锱铢必较会让合作伙伴反感。
    Zuò shēngyi kěyǐ jīngdǎxìsuàn, dàn zī zhū bì jiào huì ràng hézuò huǒbàn fǎngǎn.
    In business you can be careful with money, but penny-pinching alienates partners.
    do business can careful-calculate, but zi zhu must compare will make cooperation partners resentful

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