Definition
小意思 literally means 'small meaning' but is a polite fixed expression used when you offer a gift or favor, implying it's just a modest token — equivalent to 'a small token of appreciation' or 'just a little something'. It can also be used sarcastically or casually to mean 'no big deal'. Native speakers say 这是小意思 ('this is just a small token') when handing over a gift to downplay the gesture. As a noun, it refers to the gift itself or the concept of a trifle.
noun
a modest gift or tokenoften accompanied by modesty when giving it
n.
(noun, colloquial) a triflesomething insignificant
Examples
- 小意思，。Zhè shì wǒ de yì diǎn xiǎo yì sāi, qǐng shōu xià.This is just a small token from me – please accept it.
- ，小意思。Bāng ge máng éryǐ, duì wǒ lái shuō jiù shì xiǎo yì sāi la.Just helping out – it's no big deal to me.
- 小意思，。Tā sòng le ge xiǎo yì sāi, dàn wǒ juéde lǐwù hěn guìzhòng.He gave a small token, but I thought the gift was very generous.
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