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尖锐 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
尖锐jiānruìsharpHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #13148, Very Hard
尖锐jiānruìintenseHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #13148, Very Hard
尖锐jiānruìpenetratingHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #13148, Very Hard
尖锐jiānruìpointedHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #13148, Very Hard
尖锐jiānruìacute (illness)HSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #13148, Very Hard
jiānruì(jian1rui4)jian rui T1
  1. 1sharp
  2. 2intense
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March 24, 2026

尖锐(尖銳)jiānruì(jian1rui4)

尖锐 (jiān ruì) refers to something that is sharp or pointed in physical or metaphorical contexts. It can describe objects with a sharp edge, as well as intense or penetrating feelings, opinions, or critiques, often implying a level of severity or acuteness.

Strokes18Frequency#13148DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

尖锐 can reflect the cultural emphasis on directness in discussions, particularly in professional settings. Sharp critiques are often valued in Chinese debates and discussions, where clarity is prioritized over ambiguity.

Memory tip

Imagine a sharp knife (尖) cutting through the air with a piercing sound (锐). The character 尖 looks like a pointed peak, symbolizing sharpness, and the sound 'ruì' can remind you of the word 'ruthless,' which often describes a sharp critique.

Meanings of 尖锐

jiānruì(jian1rui4)
1sharp
2intense
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 尖锐

尖锐Simplified
尖銳Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#13148Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 尖锐

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Podcast: 尖锐

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AI study notes for 尖锐

Quick Contrast

锋利 (fēnglì) refers specifically to the sharpness of blades or cutting tools, while 尖锐 (jiānruì) can also describe metaphorical sharpness in feelings or critiques.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to use 尖锐 in overly casual contexts, as it can imply severity or harshness. Common collocations include 尖锐的意见 (sharp opinion) and 尖锐的批评 (sharp criticism). Pay attention to the tones; mispronouncing can lead to confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 6, students should focus on using 尖锐 both in literal and figurative language. It connects well with other adjectives describing intensity and can enhance vocabulary around discussions of critique or analysis.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 尖锐 with 直接 (zhíjiē, direct), using them interchangeably when discussing opinions. Remember, 尖锐 emphasizes intensity and sharpness rather than just straightforwardness.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 尖锐

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Component characters

尖jiānpoint (of needle)
HSK 66 strokes小
View full entry
锐ruìacute
12 strokes钅
View full entry

How to say sharp in Chinese

“sharp” in Chinese is尖锐jiānruì

尖锐 (jiān ruì) refers to something that is sharp or pointed in physical or metaphorical contexts. It can describe objects with a sharp edge, as well as intense or penetrating feelings, opinions, or critiques, often implying a level of severity or acuteness.

When to use 尖锐

Be cautious not to use 尖锐 in overly casual contexts, as it can imply severity or harshness. Common collocations include 尖锐的意见 (sharp opinion) and 尖锐的批评 (sharp criticism). Pay attention to the tones; mispronouncing can lead to confusion with other words.

尖锐 or something close to it

锋利 (fēnglì) refers specifically to the sharpness of blades or cutting tools, while 尖锐 (jiānruì) can also describe metaphorical sharpness in feelings or critiques.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 尖锐 with 直接 (zhíjiē, direct), using them interchangeably when discussing opinions. Remember, 尖锐 emphasizes intensity and sharpness rather than just straightforwardness.

Write 尖锐

尖
锐

Practice writing 尖锐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 尖锐

尖锐 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他因这番____的批评而万念俱灰,茫然不知所措。

He was shattered and bewildered by this trenchant criticism.

Example sentences for 尖锐 (6)

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1
他因这番尖锐的批评而万念俱灰,茫然不知所措。

tā yīn zhè fān jiānruì de pīpíng ér wàn niàn jù huī, mángrán bùzhī-suǒcuò。

He was shattered and bewildered by this trenchant criticism.
2
这是对她最尖锐的批评。

zhè shì duì tā zuì jiānruì de pīpíng。

This was the most biting criticism made against her.
3
她想笑,但声音听起来尖锐刺耳。

tā xiǎng xiào, dàn shēngyīn tīng qǐlái jiānruì cì’ěr。

She tried to laugh, and the sound was harsh and strident.
4
他一直在问一些尖锐的问题。

tā yìzhí zài wèn yìxiē jiānruì de wèntí。

He never stopped asking penetrating questions.
5
玩音乐的人在街角大声弹奏起尖锐刺耳的爵士乐。

wán yīnyuè de rén zài jiē jiǎo dàshēng dàn zòu qǐ jiānruì cì’ěr de juéshì lè。

Musicians blast their brassy jazz from street corners.
6
冰很难越过尖锐的角隅.

bīng hěn nán yuèguò jiānruì de jiǎo yú.

Ice has difficulty in negotiating sharp corners.

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Frequently asked questions about 尖锐

Yes, you can describe someone as having a 尖锐的性格 (sharp personality) to indicate they are direct or critical.

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