綮 (qǐ) - crux, pivot, key point & also refers to an embroidered silk banner used

綮Tone 3

qǐ ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

綮 · qǐ

crux, pivot, key point;

also refers to an embroidered silk banner used in ancient times.

crux, pivot, key pointalso refers to an embroidered silk banner used

Usage highlights

crux of the matterembroidered bannerkey pointpivotal issueessential point

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 枝节— minor details, trivialities
  • 表面— surface, superficial

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Getting to the crux of the matter(深中肯綮)
  • The key point of the argument(问题之肯綮)
  • Ancient embroidered silk banner(綮戟, ceremonial weapon with silk banner)

Collocations

  • crux of the matter(肯綮)
  • embroidered banner(綮戟)
  • key point(要綮)
  • pivotal issue(綮要)
  • essential point(綮领)

Idioms

  • Hit the nail on the head(深中肯綮)
  • Grasp the essential points(切中肯綮)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to an embroidered silk banner attached to ceremonial weapons in ancient China
  • Later extended to mean the crucial point or pivot in an argument or situation
  • Used in classical Chinese literature to denote the most essential part of something

FAQ