敏 mǐn fast
fast; quick
How it came to be
A woman with her hair pinned, with a hand and a rod beside her. Somebody dressing hair quickly and without fumbling: fast, and good with the hands.
How it is used
- 敏感 mǐngǎn "sensitive" covers both physical sensitivity and touchy subjects: 敏感话题 "a sensitive topic."
- 过敏 guòmǐn "to have an allergic reaction" is essential medical vocabulary - 我对花生过敏 (wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn) "I'm allergic to peanuts."
- Distinguish 敏捷 mǐnjié "agile, nimble" (physical quickness) from 敏锐 mǐnruì "sharp, perceptive" (mental or sensory acuity).