铦 (xiān) - Sharp — refers to something sharp or keen & an ancient type of spear or lance

铦Tone 1

xiān ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

铦 · xiān

Sharp — refers to something sharp or keen;

an ancient type of spear or lance;

also means sharp-witted or acute.

Sharp — refers to something sharp or keenan ancient type of spear or lancealso means sharp-witted or acute.

Usage highlights

Sharp and keenSharpAncient spearSharp bladeSharp weaponKeen edge

Synonyms

  • 利— sharp, beneficial
  • 锐— sharp, acute
  • 锋— blade, sharp edge

Antonyms

  • 钝— blunt, dull
  • 拙— clumsy, unskilled

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The blade is extremely sharp (铦利).
  • He is sharp-witted and quick to respond (铦敏).
  • Archaeologists found an ancient bronze spear (古铦).
  • Her comments were sharp and penetrating (言辞铦利).

Collocations

  • Sharp and keen(铦利)
  • Sharp-witted(铦敏)
  • Ancient spear(古铦)
  • Sharp blade(铦刃)
  • Sharp weapon(铦兵)
  • Keen edge(铦锋)

Idioms

  • As sharp as a spear(锋利如铦)
  • Keen weapons and strong armor(铦兵坚甲)
  • Sharp tongue and quick mind(口铦心敏)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to a type of ancient spear or lance weapon in Chinese antiquity.
  • Extended meaning to describe sharpness, both physical (blades) and mental (intelligence).
  • Appears in classical texts describing weapons and keen attributes.
  • Relatively rare in modern usage but preserved in literary and historical contexts.

FAQ