尖锐

• Pinyin: jiān ruì
• Hanzi breakdown: 尖 = 小 + 大 (small on top, large on bottom — tapering to a sharp point); 锐 = 钅+ 兑 (metal + exchange/sharp — sharpness of a metal edge)

Meaning

Sharp; pointed; acute; incisive; piercing; penetrating. Can describe a physical edge, a high-pitched sound, or the quality of a question, argument, or conflict.

Highly versatile across domains. Describes the sharpness of tools, the piercing quality of sounds, the incisiveness of criticism or questions, and the intensity of contradictions or conflicts. A core academic and journalistic adjective.

Examples

1. 他提出了一个尖锐的问题，让在场的所有官员都陷入了沉默。 He raised a pointed question that left every official present in silence.
2. 双方在会谈中爆发了尖锐的矛盾，谈判一度濒临破裂的边缘。 During the talks, the two sides’ sharp conflict erupted, and negotiations came close to collapsing.
3. 那只鸟发出一声尖锐的叫声，划破了清晨山谷里的宁静。 The bird let out a piercing cry that cut through the stillness of the valley at dawn.

Usage Guide

Context: journalism, academic writing, social commentary, everyday description

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 这篇评论文章措辞尖锐、逻辑严密，对当前教育体制中存在的结构性问题进行了深刻的剖析，引发了社会各界的广泛讨论与深度反思。(This commentary article employs sharp and incisive language and tight logic to carry out a profound analysis of the structural problems in the current education system, sparking extensive discussion and deep reflection across all sectors of society.)
• 气候峰会上，发展中国家代表提出了立场尖锐的质疑，直指发达国家的减排拖延。(At the climate summit, representatives of developing countries raised sharp, pointed objections, directly calling out developed countries' delay in cutting emissions.)

Don't Say

• 尖锐 can describe both literal sharpness (physical objects, sounds) and figurative incisiveness (questions, contradictions, criticism). Do not confuse with 犀利 (sharp/incisive — used specifically for language, wit, or eyes, not for physical objects or sounds).

Origin & History

尖 (point; tip; sharp — 小 small + 大 large, narrowing to a point) + 锐 (sharp; keen; acute)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal