📖 Meaning
A trifling or insignificant matter. The reduplication 区区 emphasizes how small or negligible something is. It is commonly used to downplay an issue or to modestly dismiss one's own contribution.
📜 Origin Story
The expression traces back to the Zuo Zhuan (《左传·襄公十七年》), where the state of Song is described as 区区, meaning small and weak. Over time, the doubled form 区区 came to denote anything slight or negligible. Combined with 小事, it conveys a matter too trivial to warrant concern.
💡 Example Usage
这点忙不过是区区小事，不用专门来谢我。
Helping out with this is just a trifle—no need to thank me specially.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 区区小事
- Pinyin: qū qū xiǎo shì
- Literal Translation: small, small, small, matter
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4