This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

針小棒大

Reading

Kana: しんしょうぼうだい
Romaji: shinshōboudai
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

exaggeration; making a mountain out of a molehill

Note: yojijukugo

Kanji

Readings: シン、 はり
Meanings: needle, pin, staple, stinger
Readings: ショウ、 ちい.さい、 こ-、 お-、 さ-
Meanings: little, small
Reading: ボウ
Meanings: rod, stick, cane, pole, club, line
Readings: ダイ、 タイ、 おお-、 おお.きい、 -おお.いに
Meanings: large, big

Example Sentence

(まえ)(なに)でも針小棒大(しんしょうぼうだい)()(わる)(くせ)がある。
➥You have a habit of exaggerating everything.
Full Entry➤