Definition
犀利 describes sharpness in speech, observations, or eyesight — it's specifically about mental acuity or penetrating insight, not physical sharpness (use 锋利 for a blade). It pairs with 言辞 (words), 提问 (questions), or 眼光 (eyesight/insight), and is stronger than 敏锐 (keen, alert) or 透彻 (thorough).
adjective
sharpincisive (of remarks, observations, eyesight, etc.)
Easily confused
- 洗礼xǐ lǐsound-alike(Christianity) baptism
Examples
- 犀利，。Tā de yǎnjiǎng yáncí xī lì, yíngdé le zhèn zhèn zhǎngshēng.His speech was sharp and incisive, winning rounds of applause.
- 犀利，。Zhè wèi jìzhě de tíwèn fēicháng xī lì, ràng fāyánrén nányǐ huíbì.This journalist's questions were very incisive, making it hard for the spokesperson to evade them.
- 犀利，。Tā yǎnguāng xī lì, yì yǎn jiù kàn chū le huàzuò de xiácī.Her eyesight is sharp; she spotted the flaw in the painting at a glance.
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