To be 'tiāoti' means to have very high, often difficult-to-satisfy standards and be critical.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes someone hard to please.
- Implies high standards, often critical.
- Used in daily life, food, fashion, relationships.
Overview
“挑剔”这个词生动地描绘了一种对事物或人的要求极高、仔细审视、甚至有些吹毛求疵的态度。它不仅仅是“要求高”，而是带有一种不易取悦的意味。一个挑剔的人，在吃穿住行、朋友选择、工作标准等方面都可能表现出这种特质。这个词可以用于描述人，也可以用来形容对某事物的评价或标准。
“挑剔”常用来形容人的性格或行为。“挑剔”+“的人”是常见的搭配，例如“他是个很挑剔的人”。也可以直接用“挑剔”来形容某人，“他很挑剔”。在描述对某事物的要求时，可以说“对…很挑剔”或“在…方面很挑剔”。例如，“她对衣服的材质非常挑剔”，“他在选伴侣方面很挑剔”。作为动词，“挑剔”可以表示“挑剔出”某物，但较少见，更多时候是用作形容词。
“挑剔”经常出现在日常生活的对话中，尤其是在讨论购物、餐饮、电影、音乐、择偶、招聘等方面。例如，在餐厅里，顾客可能会抱怨菜肴“太咸，有点挑剔”；在描述一位品味高雅的朋友时，会说“她对艺术品味很挑剔”。在工作场合，也可能用来形容对员工表现或项目质量要求严格的领导或客户。
苛刻与挑剔在某些语境下相似，都表示要求严格。但苛刻更侧重于严厉、不留情面，常用于批评、惩罚或要求方面，语气比挑剔更重。
讲究表示注重细节、品质和风格，追求一定的标准。它比挑剔更中性，有时甚至带有褒义，指有品味、懂生活。挑剔则更强调“难满足”。
吹毛求疵是一个成语，指故意寻找别人的缺点或错误，形容人非常爱挑剔，甚至到了无理取闹的地步。它比“挑剔”的程度更深，带有明显的贬义。
Examples
她对衣服的牌子和款式都非常挑剔。
everydayShe is very picky about the brands and styles of clothes.
这位评论家对新上映的电影提出了几处挑剔的意见。
formalThe critic offered several critical comments on the newly released movie.
别那么挑剔嘛，这首歌挺好听的。
informalDon't be so picky, this song is quite nice.
该设备对电源的稳定性要求非常挑剔，不达标则无法运行。
academicThis equipment is very demanding regarding power supply stability; it won't operate if the standards are not met.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
别挑剔了
Stop being so picky.
挑剔的眼光
a critical eye
生活挑剔
picky about life
Often Confused With
'Jiangjiu' means paying attention to detail and quality, often implying good taste. 'Tiāoti' implies being hard to please and critical, often with a negative connotation.
'Kēkè' means harsh or severe, often used for strict rules or punishments. 'Tiāoti' focuses more on specific preferences and standards that are difficult to meet.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word 'tiāoti' is commonly used in everyday conversations to describe someone's high standards or critical nature. It can be used both in spoken and written Chinese. While often carrying a negative connotation of being difficult to please, it can sometimes be used neutrally or even positively to describe someone with discerning taste.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse 'tiāoti' when 'jiangjiu' (paying attention to detail) would be more appropriate and less negative. Also, confusing 'tiāoti' with 'kēkè' (harsh) can lead to misunderstandings, as 'tiāoti' is generally about preferences and standards, not severity.
Tips
Focus on High Standards
Remember 'tiāoti' means setting a high bar, often to the point of being hard to please.
Avoid Excessive Criticism
While setting standards is good, being overly 'tiāoti' can alienate others or hinder progress.
Appreciating Quality vs. Being Picky
In Chinese culture, appreciating quality ('jiangjiu') is valued, but excessive 'tiāoti' can be seen negatively.
Word Origin
The word 'tiāoti' is composed of 'tiāo' (to lift, select) and 'ti' (small piece, bit). The combination suggests carefully selecting and examining small details, leading to the meaning of being picky or fastidious.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, while diligence and attention to detail are praised, being excessively 'tiāoti' can be seen as difficult to get along with or lacking in flexibility, especially in social settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone 'tiāo' (lifting) up a 'ti' (small piece) of food, examining it very closely before deciding if it's good enough. They are 'tiāoti'!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“挑剔”通常带有贬义，因为它暗示着一个人不易满足，并且可能过于注重细节而忽略整体，甚至有些吹毛求疵。但在特定语境下，如果用“挑剔”来形容对品质有极高要求且有品味的人，也可以被理解为一种褒义。
“讲究”表示注重细节和品质，追求一定的格调和标准，通常是中性或偏褒义的。而“挑剔”则更侧重于“难满足”，标准高到难以达到，带有负面含义。
你可以说：“他对餐厅的选择非常挑剔，一般的店他看不上。” 或者 “别太挑剔了，这部电影还不错。”
可以。例如，可以说“这款机器对操作环境很挑剔”，意思是它对工作环境的要求非常高，不适宜的条件就无法正常工作。
Test Yourself
他对食物的口味非常____，一般的餐馆很难让他满意。
句意是说一般的餐馆都不能让他满意，说明他对食物的要求非常高且难以满足，因此“挑剔”最合适。
下列哪个句子最能体现“挑剔”的意思？
选项C描述了对伴侣要求多、难以找到合适的人，这正是“挑剔”在择偶方面的体现。
请用“挑剔”和“的”、“人”、“很”、“一个”这几个词语组成一个句子。
“一个很挑剔的人”是标准的中文句子结构，描述了一个人挑剔的性格。
Score: /3
Summary
To be 'tiāoti' means to have very high, often difficult-to-satisfy standards and be critical.
- Describes someone hard to please.
- Implies high standards, often critical.
- Used in daily life, food, fashion, relationships.
Focus on High Standards
Remember 'tiāoti' means setting a high bar, often to the point of being hard to please.
Avoid Excessive Criticism
While setting standards is good, being overly 'tiāoti' can alienate others or hinder progress.
Appreciating Quality vs. Being Picky
In Chinese culture, appreciating quality ('jiangjiu') is valued, but excessive 'tiāoti' can be seen negatively.
Examples
4 of 4她对衣服的牌子和款式都非常挑剔。
She is very picky about the brands and styles of clothes.
这位评论家对新上映的电影提出了几处挑剔的意见。
The critic offered several critical comments on the newly released movie.
别那么挑剔嘛，这首歌挺好听的。
Don't be so picky, this song is quite nice.
该设备对电源的稳定性要求非常挑剔，不达标则无法运行。
This equipment is very demanding regarding power supply stability; it won't operate if the standards are not met.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More daily_life words
朝九晚五
B2From nine to five; regular working hours.
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
B2Abundant; ample.
充沛
B2Abundant; plentiful; full of energy.
门禁卡
B2Access card; entry card.
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
