斤斤计较 haggle over trifles
Explanation
指对无关紧要的事过分计较。形容人小气、气量狭小。
Refers to someone who cares too much about unimportant things. Describes someone as petty and narrow-minded.
Origin Story
从前，有两个农夫，他们都在同一个村子里耕田。老张家境贫寒，常常为了几文钱跟人争执，而老李则性格豁达，从不斤斤计较。一天，老张发现自家的稻田里长了一些杂草，他立刻跑到老李家，向老李抱怨说老李家的杂草飘到他的田里，影响了他家的收成。老李听了哈哈大笑，说：“几株杂草而已，不必这么认真吧！你与其斤斤计较这点小事，还不如好好想想怎样才能多收些粮食呢！”老张这才意识到自己太小气，以后不再斤斤计较了。
Once upon a time, there were two farmers who lived in the same village. Old Zhang was poor and often argued over small amounts of money, while Old Li was generous and never cared about trifles. One day, Old Zhang found some weeds in his rice paddy. He immediately ran to Old Li's house and complained that Old Li's weeds were blowing into his field, affecting his harvest. Old Li laughed and said, "Just a few weeds, it's not that serious! Instead of worrying about such trifles, why not think about how to get a better harvest?" Old Zhang realized how petty he was and stopped being so petty afterwards.
Usage
用于形容对琐碎小事过分计较，缺乏大度和气量。
Used to describe someone who cares too much about trivial matters, lacking generosity and broad-mindedness.
Examples
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他总是斤斤计较，让人难以相处。
ta zong shi jin jin ji jiao, rang ren nan yi xiang chu.
He always haggles over trifles, making him hard to get along with.
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做人要大气一点，不要斤斤计较。
zuo ren yao da qi yi dian, bu yao jin jin ji jiao.
Be more generous, don't be so petty!