Definitions

xiān (adjective) fine; delicate; slim
qiàn (noun) tow-rope

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 纤 is the simplified form for two distinct traditional characters: 纖 and 縴. The traditional 纖 combines the silk radical 糸 with the phonetic component 韯, originally meaning extremely fine silk threads and extending to denote delicacy or slenderness. Meanwhile, 縴 pairs the same silk radical with the phonetic component 牽, referring to a strong towrope or the act of towing a boat. In its modern form, 纤 merges the simplified silk radical 纟 with 千 as a phonetic component, representing both etymological origins in a single character.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

这件衣服材质很细。

Zhè jiàn yīfu cáizhì hěn xiānxì.

The material of this clothing is very fine and delicate.

多吃维对身体有益。

Duō chī xiānwéi duì shēntǐ yǒuyì.

Eating more fiber is beneficial for the body.

她有一双细灵巧的手。

Tā yǒu yì shuāng xiānxì língqiǎo de shǒu.

She has a pair of slender and dexterous hands.

这种维的透气性非常好。

Zhè zhǒng xiānwéi de tòuqìxìng fēicháng hǎo.

This type of fiber has excellent breathability.

化学维在现代纺织业应用广泛。

Huàxué xiānwéi zài xiàndài fǎngzhīyè yìngyòng guǎngfàn.

Synthetic fibers are widely used in the modern textile industry.

她们用绳费力地拉动小船。

Tāmen yòng qiànshéng fèilì de lādòng xiǎo chuán.

They pulled the small boat laboriously with a towline.

这种玻璃维的强度令人惊讶。

Zhè zhǒng bōli xiānwéi de qiángdù lìng rén jīngyà.

The strength of this glass fiber is astonishing.

度是衡量维粗细的重要指标。

Xiāndù shì héngliáng xiānwéi cūxì de zhòngyào zhǐbiāo.

Fineness is an important indicator for measuring the thickness of fibers.