Definitions

mǐn (adjective) quick; agile; nimble
mǐn (adjective) clever; smart

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 敏, formed from the phonetic element 每 and the semantic radical 攵 which denotes action, originally denoted physical quickness and diligence in early Chinese texts. Its meaning gradually broadened to include mental swiftness and perceptiveness, evolving into modern connotations of sensitivity and intellectual acuity. While its graphical composition has remained stable, the conceptual shift from external speed to internal keenness reflects the character's adaptive usage over time.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他很感。

Tā hěn mǐngǎn.

He is very sensitive.

我的小狗很捷。

Wǒ de xiǎogǒu hěn mǐnjié.

My puppy is very agile.

她思维很锐。

Tā sīwéi hěn mǐnruì.

Her thinking is very sharp.

记者要有锐的观察力。

Jìzhě yào yǒu mǐnruì de guānchálì.

Journalists need to have keen observation skills.

他对光线变化异常感。

Tā duì guāngxiàn biànhuà yìcháng mǐngǎn.

He is unusually sensitive to changes in light.

这位科学家以思想锐著称。

Zhè wèi kēxuéjiā yǐ sīxiǎng mǐnruì zhùchēng.

This scientist is known for his sharp thinking.

这款传感器灵度很高。

Zhè kuǎn chuángǎnqì língmǐndù hěn gāo.

This sensor has very high sensitivity.

孩子对环境变化的感度出乎意料。

Háizi duì huánjìng biànhuà de mǐngǎndù chūhū yìliào.

The child's sensitivity to environmental changes is unexpected.