点 diǎn — (downwards-right convex character stroke); o'clock; (a measure word); point; dot; (decimal) point)
现在是八点半。Xiàn zài shì bā diǎn bàn.It is now half past eight.
Common words: 地点 (dì diǎn)、一点儿 (yī diǎn r)、有点儿 (yǒu diǎn r)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "point"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "point", including 点 (diǎn), 点 (diǎn), 节 (jié / jiē), 尖 (jiān), 锋 (fēng). Study pinyin, English meanings…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "point" covers 5 different Chinese characters — 点 (diǎn), 点 (diǎn), 节 (jié / jiē), 尖 (jiān), 锋 (fēng) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 5 characters do not share a sound — their readings span diǎn, jié, jiē, jiān, fēng — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 点 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 点 diǎn(downwards-right convex character stroke); o'clock; (a measure word); point; dot; (decimal) point)Useful words: 地点, 一点儿
- 点 diǎn(downwards-right convex character stroke); o'clock; (a measure word); point; dot; (decimal) point)Useful words: 地点, 一点儿
- 节 jié / jiēfestival; section; segment; point; part; to economizeUseful words: 节目, 节日
- 尖 jiānpoint (of needle); sharp; shrewd; pointedUseful words: 尖锐, 尖端
- 锋 fēngpoint or edge of a toolUseful words: 先锋, 锋利
Common words for these 5 "point" characters
Anchor each of these 5 characters in a word you can picture — start with 点 (diǎn) — so "point" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
地点dì diǎnplace; site; location; venue一点儿yī diǎn rcolloquial (-r) form of 一点有点儿yǒu diǎn rslightly; a little; somewhat地点dì diǎnplace; site; location; venue一点儿yī diǎn rcolloquial (-r) form of 一点有点儿yǒu diǎn rslightly; a little; somewhat节目jié mù(TV or radio) program; show; item; act节日jié rìholiday; festival音节yīn jiésyllable尖锐jiān ruìsharp; intense; penetrating; pointed
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 5 ways to say "point".
点 diǎn — (downwards-right convex character stroke); o'clock; (a measure word); point; dot; (decimal) point)
现在是八点半。Xiàn zài shì bā diǎn bàn.It is now half past eight.
Common words: 地点 (dì diǎn)、一点儿 (yī diǎn r)、有点儿 (yǒu diǎn r)
节 jié / jiē — festival; section; segment; point; part; to economize
春节是中国最重要的节日。Chūn jié shì Zhōng guó zuì zhòng yào de jié rì.Spring Festival is the most important festival in China.
Common words: 节目 (jié mù)、节日 (jié rì)、音节 (yīn jié)
尖 jiān — point (of needle); sharp; shrewd; pointed
这支铅笔的笔尖很尖。Zhè zhī qiān bǐ de bǐ jiān hěn jiān.The tip of this pencil is very sharp.
Common words: 尖锐 (jiān ruì)、尖端 (jiān duān)、顶尖 (dǐng jiān)
锋 fēng — point or edge of a tool
这把刀很锋利，用起来要小心。Zhè bǎ dāo hěn fēng lì, yòng qǐ lái yào xiǎo xīn.This knife is very sharp; be careful when using it.
Common words: 先锋 (xiān fēng)、锋利 (fēng lì)、交锋 (jiāo fēng)
All 5 characters
Open 点、点、节 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.