碾 (niǎn) - To grind, to crush & a roller or millstone

碾Tone 3

niǎn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

楠念

碾 · niǎn

To grind, to crush;

a roller or millstone;

to polish or process by grinding.

To grind, to crusha roller or millstoneto polish or process by grinding.

Usage highlights

To grind grainRollerGrinding millRoad rollerTo crush into powderTo run over

Synonyms

  • 磨— to grind, to polish
  • 压— to press, to crush
  • 碎— to break into pieces

Antonyms

  • 整— whole, intact
  • 完— complete, undamaged

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The grain is ground into flour (碾成面粉).
  • They used a stone roller to flatten the road (用石碾碾平道路).
  • The rice was husked in the mill (在碾坊里碾米).
  • He polished the jade with a grinding wheel (用碾轮碾玉).

Collocations

  • To grind grain(碾谷)
  • Roller(碾子)
  • Grinding mill(碾坊)
  • Road roller(压路碾)
  • To crush into powder(碾成粉末)
  • To run over(碾过)

Idioms

  • To be crushed to pieces(碾为齑粉)
  • To be ground by a millstone(碾砣压碾盘)
  • To be crushed by a heavy roller(泰山压碾)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with traditional grain processing methods using stone rollers and mills.
  • Represents agricultural technology and food preparation in pre-industrial China.
  • In modern context, often used metaphorically for being overwhelmed or crushed by powerful forces.

FAQ