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器が小さい (うつわがちいさい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, i-adjective
intolerant ; small-minded ; petty
Describes a person who is narrow-minded, unable to accept differences, or easily offended. Literally 'one's vessel is small', implying a lack of magnanimity.
See also: 器の小さい
Antonyms: 器が大きい
る
。
He is small-minded, so he gets angry over little things.
Written forms 器うつわ が 小ちい さい
Standard kanji form for this idiomatic expression.
うつわが 小ちい さい
Mixed kana-kanji spelling sometimes seen in informal writing.
Kanji 器 utensil, vessel, receptacle Similar words 器うつわ が 大おお きい Antonym meaning 'broad-minded', 'magnanimous', or 'generous'.
器うつわ の 小ちい さい Variant with の instead of が; same meaning but slightly more formal or written.
Etymology Idiomatic phrase from 器 (utsuwa, 'vessel, container') metaphorically representing a person's capacity or character, plus 小さい (chiisai, 'small'). The expression likens a narrow-minded person to a small container.
