斗筲之人 — “Someone with a narrow mind and limited vision”

斗筲之人 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “Someone with a narrow mind and limited vision”. A person of meager capacity or shallow understanding. Literally, “Person of a peck and a shāo (a small bamboo basket)”.

Frequency

斗筲之人 Pronunciation and Pinyin

斗筲之人 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
斗	dǒu	4	fight, struggle, contend
筲	shāo	13	bamboo rice basket
之	zhī	4	possessive or connective particle
人	rén	2	human being, person

Example Sentence with 斗筲之人

他虽然职位很高，但总是斤斤计较一些小事，真是斗筲之人。

Although he holds a high position, he always quibbles over trifles, truly a person of meager capacity.

Origin and Story of 斗筲之人

During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius led his disciples on a journey through various states. While idling in the State of Chen, he discussed self-cultivation with his disciples.

He stated that a true "scholar" (士, shi) should embody three virtues: "the benevolent are free from anxiety, the wise are free from perplexity, and the courageous are free from fear."

He further categorized scholars into three types: those who "do not disgrace their lord's command and serve their state effectively"; those who are "dutiful to parents and elders, and models for their neighbors"; and those who "keep their word and are resolute in their actions, fulfilling promises worth a thousand pieces of gold."

As for "people of peck and shāo (斗筲之人)," he remarked, "they are hardly worth mentioning."