# 雕虫小技

diāo chóng xiǎo jì

A minor or unimpressive skill

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A small skill in decorative carving or writing

**Traditional Chinese:** 雕蟲小技

**Register:** Modest · literary

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Modestly downplay one's accomplishment or dismiss trivial cleverness.

Dismissing another's expertise this way can be insulting.

## Understanding the expression

The wording is associated with decorative writing and craft rather than a literal small animal. In modern conversation, the expression often serves as modest self-description after praise for a clever performance. It can also belittle another person’s skill. The social direction changes the tone: minimizing oneself sounds courteous, while minimizing someone else may sound contemptuous. It does not mean the skill is literally worthless or required no practice.

## Examples

这点魔术不过雕虫小技。

### Traditional Chinese

這點魔術不過雕蟲小技。

zhè diǎn mó shù bú guò diāo chóng xiǎo jì 。

This little magic trick is only a minor skill.

她谦称自己的书法是雕虫小技。

### Traditional Chinese

她謙稱自己的書法是雕蟲小技。

tā qiān chēng zì jǐ de shū fǎ shì diāo chóng xiǎo jì 。

She modestly called her calligraphy a small accomplishment.

别把别人的专业说成雕虫小技。

### Traditional Chinese

別把別人的專業說成雕蟲小技。

bié bǎ bié rén de zhuān yè shuō chéng diāo chóng xiǎo jì 。

Do not dismiss another person's expertise as trivial.

他会几招雕虫小技，却解决不了难题。

### Traditional Chinese

他會幾招雕蟲小技，卻解決不了難題。

tā huì jǐ zhāo diāo chóng xiǎo jì ， què jiě jué bù liǎo nán tí 。

He knows a few tricks but cannot solve the hard problem.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%9B%95%E8%9F%B2%E5%B0%8F%E6%8A%80)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=487&webMd=1&la=0)

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