The word "小菜" (xiǎocài) is a compound noun formed by combining the character "小" (xiǎo), meaning "small", with "菜" (cài), meaning "vegetable" or "dish". It literally translates to "small dish" and refers to simple, cold appetizers or side dishes in a culinary context. More significantly, through metaphorical extension, it has evolved into a common idiom ("小菜一碟") meaning "a piece of cake" or "an easy task", where the "small dish" symbolizes something insignificant, simple, and effortless to handle.