拈
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: to nip
💡 Imagine pinching a flower with your fingers—nip it delicately (拈).
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
Unearthing the ancient character 拈 (niān), we find its radical 扌 (hand) combined with 占 (to divine). This suggests the original action of picking up objects for divination or ritual. Today, 拈 means 'to nip' or 'to pick up with fingers,' retaining the delicate, precise hand movement. It appears in phrases like '拈花一笑' (a smile while holding a flower), evoking a Zen-like subtlety. The character embodies the archaeological trace of a gesture both practical and sacred.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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