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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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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.
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.
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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2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 尖? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 尖?
Decomposition of 尖
IDS Structure⿱小大
尖Full Character
=
小xiao3
top
大da4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 尖?
How to say point (of needle) in Chinese
“point (of needle)” in Chinese is尖jiān
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.
When to use 尖
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.
尖 or something close to it
尖 (sharp) vs 锋 (sharp edge) — use 尖 for pointedness or a sharp quality, while 锋 emphasizes the cutting edge of a blade.
What learners get wrong
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.'
Write 尖
尖
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Practice writing 尖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
