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March 24, 2026
尖jiān(jian1)
The character 尖 (jiān) primarily means 'sharp' or 'pointed', often used to describe the tip of an object like a needle or a mountain peak. It can also imply a keen or shrewd quality in a person, indicating someone who is perceptive or astute in judgment.
Strokes6Radical小Frequency#4459DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sharpness can reflect not only physical attributes but also mental acuity, which is valued in business and social interactions. For instance, a 'sharp mind' is often praised in academic and professional settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sharp needle with a very尖 (jiān) point that can prick through fabric easily. The character's left side, '山' (mountain), suggests elevation and sharpness, while the right side resembles a sharp point that can penetrate.
Meanings of 尖
jiān(jian1)
1point (of needle)
2sharp
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 尖
尖Simplified
6Strokes
小Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#4459Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 尖
Podcast: 尖
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AI Study Notes for 尖
Quick Contrast
尖 (sharp) vs 锋 (sharp edge) — use 尖 for pointedness or a sharp quality, while 锋 emphasizes the cutting edge of a blade.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sharp needle with a very尖 (jiān) point that can prick through fabric easily. The character's left side, '山' (mountain), suggests elevation and sharpness, while the right side resembles a sharp point that can penetrate.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 尖 to describe people; it can carry a negative connotation if used to imply 'shrewdness' in a manipulative sense. Common collocations include 尖锐 (jiānruì, sharp, acute) and 尖叫 (jiānjiào, to scream sharply). Always use the correct tone to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
Although 尖 is not categorized under the HSK levels, it is useful for learners preparing for HSK 3 and above, as it can help in describing objects and people's characteristics. Focus on its applications in everyday descriptions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sharpness can reflect not only physical attributes but also mental acuity, which is valued in business and social interactions. For instance, a 'sharp mind' is often praised in academic and professional settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 尖 with other similar-sounding characters like 检 (jiǎn, to inspect). For example, saying '我很尖' (wǒ hěn jiān) to mean 'I am sharp' can be misleading; it's better to say '我很聪明' (wǒ hěn cōngmíng) for 'I am smart.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 尖
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Grammar Patterns of 尖
尖 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
tā yīn zhè fān jiān ruì de pī píng ér wàn niàn jù huī， ， máng rán bù zhī suǒ。
He was shattered and bewildered by this trenchant criticism.
3
一声尖叫打破了这可怕的沉寂。
yī shēng jiān jiào dǎ pò le zhè kě pà de chén jì。
The unearthly silence was broken by a shrill screaming.
4
那个23岁女孩的尖叫引来了一位过路人前去营救。
nà gè23 23 suì nǚ hái de jiān jiào yǐn lái le yī wèi guò lù rén qián qù yíng。
The 23-year-old's screams alerted a passerby who went to her rescue.
5
他的嘴微微张开,似乎是要开始尖叫.
tā de zuǐ wēi wēi zhāng kāi, , sì hū shì yào kāi shǐ jiān.
His mouth was a little open, as if he'd started to scream.
6
当他听到伦尼尖叫的声音时仍然在笑.
dāng tā tīng dào lún ní jiān jiào de shēng yīn shí réng rán zài xiào.
He was still laughing when he heard the rasp of Rennie's voice.
7
他们中一些人手持枪尖上挂着皱缩人头的长矛。
tā mén zhōng yī xiē rén shǒu chí qiāng jiān shàng guà zháo zhòu suō rén tóu de cháng máo。
Some of them carried pikes with shrivelled heads on top.
8
他睿智刁钻，评论尖刻，对任何采访他的人而言都是梦魇。
tā ruì zhì diāo zuān， ， píng lùn jiān， kè ， duì rèn hé cǎi fǎng tā de rén ér yán dū shì。
His abrasive wit and caustic comments were an interviewer's nightmare.
9
上学时他不属于拔尖的那类。
shàng xué shí tā bù shǔ yú bá jiān de nà lèi。
In school, he was not one of the achievers.
10
他能感到指尖正在变得麻木。
tā néng gǎn dào zhǐ jiān zhèng zài biàn dé má mù。
He could feel his fingers growing numb at their tips.
Cultural Notes for 尖
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sharpness can reflect not only physical attributes but also mental acuity, which is valued in business and social interactions. For instance, a 'sharp mind' is often praised in academic and professional settings.
Word Family of 尖
Compounds1
尜ga2a child's toy
Words Containing This Character20
尖叫to screech
尖jiānsharp
顶尖dǐngjiānpeak頂尖
尖锐jiānruìsharp尖銳
尖端jiānduānthe tip
脚尖the extremity of the foot腳尖
指尖fingertips
尖刀dagger
二尖瓣mitral valve (physiology)
尖子best of its kind
舌尖apical
尖酸harsh
尖刻caustic
尖头tip尖頭
尖顶cusp尖頂
尖峰peak
钻牛角尖a wild goose chase鑽牛角尖
风口浪尖at the heart of the struggle風口浪尖
鼻尖tip of the nose
尖利sharp
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 尜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 尖
Some synonyms include 锋利 (fēnglì, sharp) and 刺 (cì, to stab), but they may vary slightly in context.
Yes, it can be used positively to describe someone's intelligence or perceptiveness.
