啮 (niè) - To gnaw, to nibble, to bite & to erode or wear away gradually.

啮Tone 4

niè ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

念柠

啮 · niè

To gnaw, to nibble, to bite;

to erode or wear away gradually.

To gnaw, to nibble, to biteto erode or wear away gradually.

Usage highlights

Gnawing animalGear meshingTo bite and chewErosion by waterWormTo nibble at

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 补— to mend, to repair
  • 建— to build

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The mouse gnawed through the wood (啮齿动物).
  • Constant dripping wears away a stone (滴水穿石, similar to erosion concept).
  • The gears mesh together perfectly (齿轮啮合).

Collocations

  • Gnawing animal(啮齿动物)
  • Gear meshing(啮合)
  • To bite and chew(啮咬)
  • Erosion by water(啮蚀)
  • Worm-eaten(虫啮)
  • To nibble at(啮啃)

Idioms

  • Like a rat gnawing at a turtle —无从下手(鼠啮蠹蚀)
  • Gnawing at one's heart — deep worry or regret(啮指痛心)
  • Biting wind and swallowing snow — endure hardship(啮雪吞毡)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character appears in technical terms like 啮合 for mechanical gear engagement.
  • Used metaphorically in literature for gradual erosion or persistent, damaging action.
  • Associated with small animals like rodents in biological terms (啮齿类).

FAQ