紧

• Pinyin: jǐn
• Hanzi breakdown: 紧 = simplified from 緊; 臤 (phonetic, firm) + 糸 (silk thread), suggesting tightly wound threads

Meaning

Tight; tense; snug. Describes something that is not loose, or a situation that feels pressed for time or resources.

Can describe physical tightness (tight clothing, a tight grip), time pressure (schedule is tight), or resource scarcity. Also used in the sense of being short on something, as in 时间很紧 (time is tight). The opposite is 松 (loose).

Examples

1. 这条裤子太紧了，我穿不下。 These trousers are too tight — I can't fit into them.
2. 最近工作很多，时间特别紧。 There's a lot of work recently, and time is especially tight.
3. 请把绳子拉紧一点。 Please pull the rope a bit tighter.

Usage Guide

Context: clothing, scheduling, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 鞋带系得太紧了。(The shoelaces are tied too tight.)
• 这个月的预算很紧。(This month's budget is tight.)

Don't Say

• 他的心情很紧。(Don't use 紧 alone for 'nervous' — use 紧张. 紧 alone means physically tight or tight on resources, not nervous.)

Origin & History

Composed of the thread radical 糸 and a phonetic component. The original meaning related to tightly wound silk threads, extending to general tightness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal