phân hào

Một người thợ kim hoàn cẩn thận cân từng phân hào vàng trên chiếc cân tiểu ly.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An extremely small unit of measurement: A traditional Vietnamese unit representing a minute division, specifically one-tenth of a "hào" and one-hundredth of a "đồng" in the old currency system. It is used metaphorically to denote something exceedingly tiny, minute, or insignificant.
   • A hair's breadth / a trifle: Used figuratively to describe an extremely small amount, degree, or detail; a minute or negligible part of something.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Không sai một phân hào nào. (Not wrong by a hair's breadth / Not the slightest error.)
  • Công việc đòi hỏi sự chính xác từng phân hào. (The work requires precision down to the last detail.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in literary or formal contexts to emphasize extreme precision, minuteness, or insignificance. It is often found in fixed expressions.

Variants and Related Words

• Hào: A larger unit, one-tenth of a "đồng".
• Ly: Another unit for small measurements, often for length.
• Tí: A colloquial word for a very small amount.

Synonyms

• Iota: an extremely small amount.
• Jot: a very small amount.
• Whit: the smallest part or amount imaginable.
• Hair's breadth: a very small distance or margin.

Related Idioms

• Không sai một phân hào: To be not the least bit wrong; to be absolutely precise.
  • Bản báo cáo phải chính xác, không sai một phân hào. (The report must be accurate, without the slightest error.)