碾

niǎn
展 + 石

Definitions

niǎn stone roller; roller and millstone; to grind; to crush; to husk

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 展 represents the sound.

Semantic: 石 Phonetic: 展

About

碾 is a phono-semantic compound: the stone radical 石 (shí) hints at grinding or crushing implements, and the phonetic 展 (zhǎn) supplies the sound. It first named a cylindrical stone roller used in farming to husk rice and crush grain. The meaning later broadened to the action of rolling, crushing, or grinding. The stone component underscores the weight and crushing force, giving the character its core sense of applying heavy pressure to break something down, as in a millstone or when a massive object runs over something.

Example Sentences Hide

农民用碾子碾玉米。

Nóngmín yòng niǎnzi niǎn yùmǐ.

The farmer uses a roller to grind corn.

车轮碾过了地上的树叶。

Chēlún niǎn guòle dì shàng de shùyè.

The wheel rolled over the leaves on the ground.

这台机器能碾碎坚硬的石头。

Zhè tái jīqì néng niǎn suì jiānyìng de shítou.

This machine can crush hard stones.

在古代，人们常用石碾来研磨谷物。

Zài gǔdài, rénmen cháng yòng shí niǎn lái yánmò gǔwù.

In ancient times, people often used stone rollers to grind grains.

碾压机正在工地上平整路面。

Niǎnyā jī zhèngzài gōngdì shàng píngzhěng lùmiàn.

The road roller is leveling the road surface at the construction site.

他被沉重的现实碾碎了梦想。

Tā bèi chénzhòng de xiànshí niǎn suì le mèngxiǎng.

His dreams were crushed by the heavy reality.

这辆卡车的轮胎碾过了泥泞的小路。

Zhè liàng kǎchē de lúntāi niǎn guòle nínìng de xiǎolù.

The truck's tires rolled over the muddy path.

在工业生产中，碾磨工艺至关重要。

Zài gōngyè shēngchǎn zhōng, niǎnmó gōngyì zhì guān zhòngyào.

In industrial production, the grinding process is crucial.

Related Characters

Component: 展

辗 輾 冁 搌 囅

Component: 石

确 研 破 础 硬 码 碰 矿 碎 岩 碍 磨 磁 碗

Example Words

碾压 碾碎 碾过 碾子 碾轧