尖端 jiānduān sharp pointed end
sharp pointed end; the tip; the cusp; tip-top; most advanced and sophisticated; highest peak; the best
How to remember 尖端: 尖 sharp + 端 end = sharp pointed end.
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How it is used
- Two senses. Literal: the sharp tip/point - 针的尖端 (zhēn de jiānduān) the point of the needle.
- Figurative and very common: cutting-edge, most advanced - 尖端技术 (jiānduān jìshù) cutting-edge technology; 尖端人才 top-tier talent.
- In the 'advanced' sense it's near 前沿 (qiányán, frontier), praising the highest level of a field.