Meaning
琐 describes things that are small, trivial, or of little importance. It often appears in compound words to emphasize the petty or tedious nature of matters. The character rarely stands alone in modern usage and typically combines with other characters to form words like 琐碎 (trivial matters) or 繁琐 (tedious and complicated).
Usage
This character is primarily used in formal or written contexts. Native speakers most commonly encounter it in compounds like 琐碎 or 琐事, rather than using 琐 by itself. It carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting something is not worth much attention or is annoyingly minor.
Examples
- 01她每天都被琐碎的家务事困扰。.She is troubled by trivial household chores every day.
- 02这些繁琐的程序浪费了很多时间。.These tedious procedures wasted a lot of time.
Common collocations
- 琐碎的事情trivial matters
- 琐事缠身entangled in trivial matters
- 繁琐的手续tedious procedures
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 瑣 contains the jade radical 玉, suggesting something precious broken into small, insignificant pieces. This imagery conveys the sense of fragmentation and triviality.