HSK · Level 59
105 words
Chinese word
边缘
Pronunciation
Pinyinbiān yuán
Meaning
- nounedge
Example
照片的边缘有些卷起来了。zhào piān de biān yuán yǒu xiē juǎn qǐ lái le
The edge of the photo is slightly curled.
More examples
一些少数民族仍然处于边缘地位。yì xiē shǎo shù mín zú réng rán chǔ yú biān yuán dì wèi
Some ethnic minorities still remain in a marginal position.
Core concept
The outer zone of a thing or group, lying away from the center and close to its limit.
Common phrases
处于边缘chǔ yú biān yuán
be on the margins
边缘地位biān yuán dì wèi
marginal position
Similar words
边界biān jiè: A dividing line or point marking where one area, thing, or group ends and another begins.
周边zhōu biān: The surrounding area near a place or thing.
边沿biān yán: The narrow outer strip running along the edge of an object.
Definition in Chinese
指处于事物或群体中心之外、处于外围或边界位置的人或事物，也可指具体的外缘部位。zhǐ chǔ yú shì wù huò qún tǐ zhōng xīn zhī wài chǔ yú wài wéi huò biān jiè wèi zhì de rén huò shì wù yě kě zhǐ jù tǐ de wài yuán bù wèi
Word origin
边缘 (biānyuán, "edge") joins 边 (biān, "side") with 缘 (yuán, "rim"), creating a transparent compound for something located along an outer limit.
Usage tips
- For people, groups, or fields, it can suggest low status or weak influence, so it may sound more negative than a simple description of location.