DICTIONARY · CC-CEDICT

斤斤計較

简斤斤计较 · 繁斤斤計較

Mandarin · pinyin jīn jīn jì jiào

to haggle over every ounce
(fig.) to fuss over minor matters
to split hairs

Full entryShow on map

Characters in this entry

斤: jīn · a catty (approximately 600 g); an axe; keen, shrewd; Kangxi radical 69
計: Look up this written character
較: Look up this written character
计: jì · plan, plot; stratagem; scheme
较: jiào · compare; comparatively, more

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

Explore the spelling

Mandarin tones

1–1–4–4 · jin1 jin1 ji4 jiao4

Compare attested words with these syllables ↗

Dictionary tones. Connected speech can change their realization.

Connected dictionary

3character links

Explore word families ↗Compare pronunciations ↗Open character structure ↗

Counts describe dictionary records, not word frequency or semantic similarity. Source identities stay separate.

Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

斤斤計較 · find source passages ↗ · 斤斤计较 · find source passages ↗

Explore Classical grammar ↗

Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 1 sense · 1 Cantonese reading

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

gan1 gan1 gai3 gaau3

Cantonese word readings for 斤斤計較. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

CanCLID contributors · CC BY 4.0 · source & license · Data pack

Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to fuss over minor matters; to split hairs

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack