Meaning:

    With its pronunciation similar to another term “一点点,” this one is the cute version of saying the same thing, which means “a little.” A popular usage by Chinese netizens, some people say the term originated from Shanxi dialect in North China. But according to baidu.com, Tang Xianzu (1550-1616), a playwright in ancient China, already used the phrase in his masterpiece “The Peony Pavillion.” The Jiangxi province native wrote the line “一丝丝垂杨线，一丢丢榆荚钱” (here some willow branches and there a bit of elm fruits) to describe early spring scenery.

    Example:

    A: 周末你和丽丽去哪儿玩了？

    Zhōumò nǐ hé lìlì qù nǎr wán le?

    Where did you and Lili go this weekend?

    B: 我没找她。

    Wǒ méi zhǎo tā。

    I didn’t ask her out.

    A: 你们吵架了吗？

    Nǐmen chǎojià le ma?

    Did you quarrel?

    B: 我想跟她分手。她总是为一丢丢小事冲我发脾气。

    Wǒ xiǎng gēn tā fēnshǒu。Tā zǒngshì wèi yīdīudīu xiǎoshì chòng wǒ fā píqì。

    I want to break up with her. She often throws a tantrum for no good reason.