捻 (niǎn) — to twist (with the fingers)
Definition
捻 (niǎn) means to twist or roll something small between your fingers — like rolling a cigarette, twisting a wick, or pinching off a thread. The action is done with the fingertips, not the whole hand.
verb
to twist (with the fingers)
Examples
- 捻。Tā qīng qīng de niǎn le yí xià dēng xīn.He gently twisted the lamp wick.
- 捻。Tā yòng shí zhǐ hé dà mǔ zhǐ niǎn duàn le nà gēn xiàn.She broke that thread by twisting it between her index finger and thumb.
- 捻。Lǎo rén zuò zài mén kǒu niǎn zhe yì gēn yān juàn.The old man sat at the door twisting a cigarette (rolling it between his fingers).
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
捻 pairs ⺘ (hand) with 念 as a sound part. The hand part shows the action is done with the fingers, as in twisting.
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