刓 (wán) - to trim & to pare

刓Tone 2

wán ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 刂

婷婉

刓 · wán

to trim;

to pare;

to whittle;

to cut corners;

worn-out;

blunt

to trimto pareto whittle

Usage highlights

to whittle woodwornblunt weaponto carve jadeto cut cornersworn seal

Synonyms

  • 削— to pare, to whittle
  • 刻— to carve, to engrave
  • 磨— to grind, to wear down

Antonyms

  • 锐— sharp (antonym to blunt sense)
  • 新— new (antonym to worn-out sense)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The carpenter whittled the wood (刓木).
  • The knife edge has become blunt (刀刓了).
  • Ancient coins often show wear (古钱刓弊).

Collocations

  • to whittle wood(刓木)
  • worn-out coin(刓弊)
  • blunt weapon(刓钝)
  • to carve jade(刓玉)
  • to cut corners(刓方为圆)
  • worn seal(刓印)

Idioms

  • To cut square into round(刓方为圆)
  • Worn seal and broken tablet(刓印断碣)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to the process of carving or whittling objects, especially in craftsmanship.
  • In numismatics, describes the wear on ancient coins from circulation.
  • Metaphorically extended to mean compromising principles or cutting corners.

FAQ