yǎn

剡

Character · Verb · Adjective

sharpen; sharp

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 6 examples
1.

verb

to sharpen to a point; to whittle

literary

Literary usage. Commonly appears in the classical phrase '剡木为楫' (whittle wood to make oars).

Gǔ古
rén人
yǎn剡
mù木
wéi为
jí楫
 ，
yǐ以
jì济
bù不
tōng通
 。

The ancients whittled wood to make oars to cross where there was no bridge.

Tā他
yǎn剡
mù木
wéi为
shǐ矢
 ，
zhǔn准
bèi备
shòu狩
liè猎
 。

He carved wood to make arrows, preparing to hunt.

Show 1 more example
Yǎn剡
mù木
wéi为
jí楫
shì是
gǔ古
rén人
de的
zhì智
huì慧
 。

Whittling wood to make oars is the wisdom of the ancients.

2.

adjective

sharp; cutting; incisive

literary

Describes blades or metaphorically sharp words or thoughts. Rare in modern speech.

Cǐ此
jiàn剑
yǎn剡
lì利
 ，
kě可
duàn断
jīn金
shí石
 。

This sword is sharp and can cut through metal and stone.

Yán言
cí辞
yǎn剡
lì利
 ，
shāng伤
rén人
yú于
wú无
xíng形
 。

The sharp words hurt people invisibly.

Show 1 more example
Dāo刀
rèn刃
yǎn剡
ruì锐
 ，
shǐ使
yòng用
shí时
yào要
xiǎo小
xīn心
 。

The blade is sharp; be careful when using it.