Definitions

niǎn to twirl (in the fingers)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "捻" is structured from a phonetic-semantic composition, combining the hand radical on the left to denote manual actions and the component "念" on the right, which primarily provides phonetic guidance while subtly echoing a sense of focused manipulation. This form has consistently highlighted finger-based activities since its inception. In early usage, the character specifically described the twisting of threads or fibers, a meaning rooted in textile practices, but over centuries its application widened to encompass various delicate motions like pinching, rolling, or squeezing small items between the fingers. This semantic expansion allowed "捻" to adapt to contexts beyond craftsmanship, including medical or domestic settings, where it conveys nuanced hand gestures while retaining its core reference to precise tactile control.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

着花瓣玩。

Tā niǎn zhe huā bàn wán.

She is playing with petals by twisting them.

爷爷胡子思考。

Yéye niǎn húzi sīkǎo.

Grandpa twists his beard while thinking.

碎了一片树叶。

Wǒ niǎn suì le yī piàn shùyè.

I crushed a leaf by twisting.

妹妹线得很仔细。

Mèimei niǎn xiàn niǎn de hěn zǐxì.

My younger sister twists thread very carefully.

熄了手中的香烟。

Tā niǎn xī le shǒu zhōng de xiāngyān.

He pinched out the cigarette in his hand.

厨师了一点盐放进汤里。

Chúshī niǎn le yīdiǎn yán fàng jìn tāng lǐ.

The chef pinched a bit of salt and put it into the soup.

她轻轻起掉在地上的针。

Tā qīngqīng niǎn qǐ diào zài dìshàng de zhēn.

She gently picked up the needle that fell on the ground by pinching it.

老艺人用手指出精美的陶艺作品。

Lǎo yìrén yòng shǒuzhǐ niǎn chū jīngměi de táo yì zuòpǐn.

The old artisan uses his fingers to twist out exquisite pottery works.