Meaning
狭隘 describes something physically narrow or confined, but more commonly refers to a narrow-minded, petty, or parochial way of thinking. It's often used to criticize someone's limited perspective, lack of tolerance, or inability to see the bigger picture.
Usage
This word carries a negative connotation when describing people or attitudes. It frequently appears in written Chinese and formal speech. Common patterns include 狭隘的观点 (narrow viewpoint) and 思想狭隘 (narrow-minded thinking). It's rarely used in casual conversation except when making serious criticism.
Examples
- 01他的想法太狭隘了，看不到全局。, .His thinking is too narrow-minded; he can't see the whole picture.
- 02我们不能用狭隘的民族主义来处理国际关系。.We cannot handle international relations with narrow nationalism.
Characters
Common collocations
- 狭隘的观点narrow viewpoint
- 思想狭隘narrow-minded
- 眼界狭隘limited perspective
- 狭隘民族主义narrow nationalism
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to narrowness. 狭 originally depicted a narrow space, while 隘 specifically referred to a narrow mountain pass. Together they emphasize extreme narrowness in both physical and metaphorical senses.