What is the primary meaning of 削?

The primary meaning is to pare, whittle, or cut away material, often with a blade or sharp tool.

Is 削 used in modern contexts?

Yes, it is commonly used in contexts like peeling fruit (削水果), sharpening pencils (削铅笔), and in business for terms like downsizing (削职).

Are there any cultural taboos with 削?

Avoid using it in names where its connotations of reduction or cutting might be perceived negatively, especially in contexts emphasizing growth or prosperity.

削Tone 1

xuē ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

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削 · xuē

to pare;

to whittle;

to cut;

to scrape;

to reduce;

to diminish;

to remove;

to peel.

to pareto whittleto cut

Usage highlights

to peel fruitto sharpen a pencilto cut jobsto reduce taxesto scrape mud off shoesto pare down expenses

Synonyms

刮— to scrape
切— to cut
减— to reduce

Antonyms

增— to increase
加— to add

Usage & contexts

Examples

He is peeling an apple (削苹果).
The company is cutting jobs (削职).
Please sharpen the pencil (削铅笔).
The government reduced taxes (削税).

Collocations

to peel fruit(削水果)
to sharpen a pencil(削铅笔)
to cut jobs(削职)
to reduce taxes(削税)
to scrape mud off shoes(削泥)
to pare down expenses(削支)

Idioms

To cut one's hair and become a monk(削发为僧)
To reduce troops and streamline administration(削兵简政)
To scrape the flesh to heal a wound(削肉补疮)

Cultural background

FAQ

Historically associated with the practice of cutting hair to signify becoming a monk or nun in Buddhism.
Used in historical contexts referring to the reduction of feudal territories or power by central authorities.
Common in expressions related to frugality, reduction, or meticulous preparation.

削 (xuē) - to pare & to whittle