尖 jiān sharp
sharp; pointed; acute; shrill; sharp point; tip
How to remember 尖: 𡭔 small + 大 big = sharp. Grandpa whittles a stick for the campfire, small at one end and big at the other, until the tip is sharp enough for marshmallows.
Component breakdown
尖 = 𡭔 small + 大 big
- 𡭔 small
- 大 big
Grandpa whittles a stick for the campfire, small at one end and big at the other, until the tip is sharp enough for marshmallows.
How it is used
- 'Pointed/sharp' or 'top-tier' - 尖 (jiān) a pointed tip: 铅笔尖 (qiānbǐ jiān) pencil point; 尖锐 (jiānruì) sharp/incisive (of a point, criticism, conflict).
- 顶尖 (dǐngjiān) / 尖端 (jiānduān) = cutting-edge, the very best: 顶尖大学 (dǐngjiān dàxué) top university.
- For sound, 尖 = shrill: 尖叫 (jiānjiào) shriek. Contrast 锋利 (fēnglì, sharp of a blade's edge).