丝毫

絲毫

sīháo

adverb HSK 7 #6,330

Meanings

1 the slightest bit; in the least
2 at all (used with negation)

Characters

silk thread; a trace

fine hair; tiny amount

Both characters refer to extremely thin things — a silk thread and a fine hair. Together they emphasize 'not even the tiniest bit.'

Examples

他丝毫没有犹豫。

Tā sīháo méiyǒu yóuyù.

He didn't hesitate in the slightest.

这件事对她丝毫没有影响。

Zhè jiàn shì duì tā sīháo méiyǒu yǐngxiǎng.

This matter didn't affect her at all.

我丝毫不怀疑他的能力。

Wǒ sīháo bù huáiyí tā de nénglì.

I don't doubt his ability in the least.

Tips

grammar

丝毫 is almost always used with negation (不, 没有, 没). Saying 丝毫有 would sound very strange. It's like English 'in the slightest' — you say 'not in the slightest,' never 'in the slightest yes.'

Stroke Order

丝 sī

毫 háo