拈 (niān) — to pick up with a pinch of the thumb and one/two fingers
Definition
拈 (niān) is a literary verb for picking up something very small or thin between the thumb and one or two fingers — a delicate pinch, unlike grabbing with the whole hand.
verb
to pick up with a pinch of the thumb and one/two fingers
Easily confused
- 钻zuānlook-aliketo drill, to bore (a hole)
- 蔫niānsound-aliketo wither, to droop (of plants)
- 沾zhānlook-aliketo touch (and get something on), to come into contact with
- 粘zhānlook-aliketo stick, to glue, to adhere
- 帖tiēlook-alike(bound form) obedient; submissive; properly arranged
- 贴tiēlook-aliketo stick, to paste, to post (e.g. online)
Examples
- 拈。Tā cóng huā pén lǐ niān qǐ yí piàn huā bàn.He picked up a flower petal from the flowerpot.
- 拈，。Lǎo tài tai niān qǐ yì gēn zhēn, kāi shǐ féng yī fu.The old lady picked up a needle and started sewing clothes.
- 拈。Tā qīng qīng niān le yí lì zhī ma fàng zài zuǐ lǐ.She gently picked up a sesame seed and put it in her mouth.
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