Chinese word

棱角

Pronunciation

Pinyinléng jiǎo

Meaning

  • nouncorner

Example

这个木桌的棱角很尖，小心碰伤。zhè ge mù zhuō de léng jiǎo hěn jiān xiǎo xīn pèng shāng

The corners of this wooden table are very sharp, so be careful not to bump into them.

Illustration for 棱角 (corner)

More examples

他的性格有些棱角，但很真诚。tā de xìng gé yǒu xiē léng jiǎo dàn hěn zhēn chéng

His personality has some rough edges, but he is very sincere.

Core concept

A projecting edge or point that remains noticeable rather than rounded away, in an object or in a person's manner.

Common phrases

  • 棱角分明léng jiǎo fēn míng

    have distinct angles

  • 有棱角yǒu léng jiǎo

    have rough edges

  • 磨平棱角mó píng léng jiǎo

    smooth out sharp edges

Similar words

角jiǎo: The pointed part formed where two surfaces meet.
边缘biān yuán: The outer edge or end of an object or area.
锋芒fēng máng: A sharp, noticeable quality in a person's words, actions, or abilities.

Definition in Chinese

指人的性格或言谈中不圆滑、有锋芒的特点；在物理上也可指物体表面突出的角或锐利的边缘。zhǐ rén de xìng gé huò yán tán zhōng bù yuán huá yǒu fēng máng de tè diǎn zài wù lǐ shàng yě kě zhǐ wù tǐ biǎo miàn tū chū de jiǎo huò ruì lì de biān yuán

Word origin

棱 (léng, "ridge") + 角 (jiǎo, "corner") forms a compound for a physical edge or corner, whose sharp outline extends naturally to a person's pointed character or speech.

Usage tips

  • When used about a person, the word comments on style rather than automatically accusing the person of being impolite, so the surrounding context determines whether it sounds approving or critical.

Other meanings

  • pointednessnoun
  • angular shapenoun

Opposites

  • 圆角yuán jiǎorounded cornernoun

Related words

  • 棱角分明léng jiǎo fēn mínghave clear-cut edgesidiom

Word lists with this word