1.
scolding; nagging; grumbling; complaint
Repeated complaints, mild scolding, or nagging about everyday matters. Composed of 小 (small) + 言 (words). Implies persistent, low-level criticism rather than a single serious reprimand. Often used to describe a parent's or boss's habitual complaints.
Usage
小言 implies repetitive, relatively minor complaints — the kind of everyday nagging a parent gives a child about chores or homework. It is milder than 叱る (to scold), which can be a single, serious reprimand.