敏

mǐn

攵 + 每

Definitions

mǐn (adjective) quick; agile; nimble

mǐn (adjective) clever; smart

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 攵 represents the meaning and 每 represents the sound.

Semantic: 攵 Phonetic: 每

About

The character 敏 combines the right-side radical 攵 (pū), depicting a hand holding a tool to indicate action or effort, with the left component 每 (měi), which serves primarily as a phonetic element while suggesting prolific or repeated action. The action radical establishes the core meaning of physical quickness, agility, and rapid reaction. This foundation of dexterity extended into the cognitive domain, describing mental sharpness, intellectual quickness, and keen sensitivity to subtle details.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他很敏感。

Tā hěn mǐngǎn.

He is very sensitive.

我的小狗很敏捷。

Wǒ de xiǎogǒu hěn mǐnjié.

My puppy is very agile.

她思维很敏锐。

Tā sīwéi hěn mǐnruì.

Her thinking is very sharp.

记者要有敏锐的观察力。

Jìzhě yào yǒu mǐnruì de guānchálì.

Journalists need to have keen observation skills.

他对光线变化异常敏感。

Tā duì guāngxiàn biànhuà yìcháng mǐngǎn.

He is unusually sensitive to changes in light.

这位科学家以思想敏锐著称。

Zhè wèi kēxuéjiā yǐ sīxiǎng mǐnruì zhùchēng.

This scientist is known for his sharp thinking.

这款传感器灵敏度很高。

Zhè kuǎn chuángǎnqì língmǐndù hěn gāo.

This sensor has very high sensitivity.

孩子对环境变化的敏感度出乎意料。

Háizi duì huánjìng biànhuà de mǐngǎndù chūhū yìliào.

The child's sensitivity to environmental changes is unexpected.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 攵

Component: 每

敏