📖 Meaning
This idiom means that a minor flaw or imperfection does not detract from the overall quality or main aspect of something. '大雅' refers to the 'Daya' (Greater Odes) section of the Classic of Poetry, here symbolizing refinement and propriety. It describes situations where a small shortcoming is harmless and negligible in the grand scheme.
📜 Origin Story
The term '大雅' originates from the 'Daya' (Greater Odes), one of the major sections of the Classic of Poetry (诗经), the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry compiled during the Zhou Dynasty. In this context, '大雅' represents what is refined, elegant, and proper. The full idiom '无伤大雅' came into common use in modern Chinese, appearing in the works of contemporary essayist Qin Mu (秦牧). It conveys that a minor blemish does not compromise the essential refinement or worth of a thing, drawing on the classical association of '雅' with literary and moral excellence.
💡 Example Usage
这点小错误无伤大雅，不影响整篇文章的质量。
This small mistake is harmless and does not affect the overall quality of the article.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 无伤大雅
- Pinyin: wú shāng dà yǎ
- Literal Translation: no, harm, great, elegance
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4