不拘小节

不拘小節

bùjū-xiǎojié

idiom #45,475

Meanings

HSK 3

艺术家往往不拘小节。

Yìshùjiā wǎngwǎng bùjū-xiǎojié.

Artists tend to be unconcerned with trivialities.

HSK 7-9

他为人豪爽，不拘小节。

Tā wéirén háoshuǎng, bùjū-xiǎojié.

He's a forthright person, not fussy about small things.

HSK 7-9

她生活上不拘小节，但工作非常严谨。

Tā shēnghuó shàng bùjū-xiǎojié, dàn gōngzuò fēicháng yánjǐn.

She's easygoing in daily life but very rigorous at work.

history

From 《后汉书·虞延传》: 性敦朴，不拘小节 ('simple in nature, not bound by minor matters'). Historically a compliment to honest, big-hearted people.

usage

Generally positive, but can tip negative in formal contexts where attention to small details matters (e.g., 'careless,' 'sloppy'). Context decides.

不 bù

拘 jū

小 xiǎo

节 jié