jiān

戋

Character · AdjectiveTraditional戔

tiny; small; numerous; many

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 3 examples
1.

adjective

small; tiny; trifling

literary

Used primarily in classical or formal literary language, almost never as a standalone word in modern Chinese. Its meaning is most commonly seen in the word '戋戋' and in the component of other characters.

Suǒ所
huò获
jiān戋
jiān戋
 ，
bù不
zú足
guà挂
chǐ齿
 。

What I gained is a trifle, not worth mentioning.

Jiān戋
jiān戋
wēi微
wù物
 ，
liáo聊
biǎo表
cùn寸
xīn心
 。

This small token is just to express my heartfelt feelings.

2.

adjective

numerous; many (when reduplicated)

literary

This sense is rare and also primarily literary, appearing in its reduplicated form '戋戋'.

Rén人
cái才
jiān戋
jiān戋
 ，
wèi蔚
wéi为
guó国
yòng用
 。

Numerous talents are gathered for the service of the nation.