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)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "shrewd"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "shrewd", including 尖 (jiān), 雕 (diāo). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "shrewd" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 尖 (jiān), 雕 (diāo) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span jiān, diāo — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 尖 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 尖 jiānpoint (of needle); sharp; shrewd; pointedUseful words: 尖锐, 尖端
- 雕 diāoengrave; engrave; shrewd; golden eagleUseful words: 雕塑, 雕刻
Common words for these 2 "shrewd" characters
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 尖 (jiān) — so "shrewd" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
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 2 ways to say "shrewd".
雕 diāo — engrave; engrave; shrewd; golden eagle
这件玉器雕刻得十分精美。Zhè jiàn yù qì diāo kè de shí fēn jīng měi.This jade piece is exquisitely carved.
Common words: 雕塑 (diāo sù)、雕刻 (diāo kè)、老雕 (lǎo diāo)
All 2 characters
Open 尖、雕 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.