Definition
开小灶 literally means 'to open a small stove' — originally referring to cooking a separate meal for someone with dietary needs or special treatment. Figuratively, it means to give someone special favors, extra help, or preferential treatment that others don't receive. It's a separable verb-object phrase (离合词): you can place words like 了, 过, or a measure word between the parts, e.g. 开了小灶 ('gave special treatment').
v.o.
to give preferential treatmentto favor someone specially (often by offering extra help or resources)
Examples
- 开小灶，。Lǎoshī duì zhège xuéshēng kāi xiǎo zào, kèhòu jīngcháng dāndú fǔdǎo.The teacher gave this student special treatment, often tutoring him alone after class.
- ，。Dàjiā dōu juéde lǎobǎn gěi tā kāi le xiǎo zào, ràng tā shēng de nàme kuài.Everyone felt the boss gave him special favors, letting him get promoted so fast.
- ，开小灶。Zhè cì péixùn zhǐyǒu jǐ ge héxīn yuángōng néng cānjiā, suàn shì gōngsī kāi xiǎo zào le.Only a few core employees can attend this training; it's like the company is giving them special treatment.
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