Definition
紧 (jǐn) has two adjective senses: physically tight-fitting (clothes, rope) and urgent/pressing (time, money). For physical tightness, use 紧 — 紧张 (jǐnzhāng) describes a nervous atmosphere or scarce supply, not tight clothing. For urgency, 紧 often pairs with time (时间紧 'time is short'), while 急 (jí) emphasizes anxious hurry. As a verb, 紧 means to physically tighten, distinct from 紧缩 (jǐnsuō) 'to cut back' (budgets).
adjective
tighttight-fitting (of clothes, shoes, etc.)urgentpressingshort of moneyhard up
verb
to tighten
Easily confused
- 累lèilook-aliketired (adjective)
- 进jìnsound-aliketo enter, to go in
- 系xìlook-aliketo relate to; to involve; to connect
- 尽jìnsound-alike(verb) to use up, to exhaust, to finish
- 素sùlook-alike(noun) vegetarian food
- 尽jǐnsound-alike(adverb) to the greatest extent, as much as possible
- 紫zǐlook-alikepurple
- 近jìnsound-alikenear; close (in distance or time)
- 仅jǐnsound-alikeonly; merely; barely
- 劲jìnsound-alikestrength; energy
Examples
- 紧，。Wǒ de kùzi tài jǐn le, zǒulù bù fāngbiàn.My pants are too tight; it's not convenient to walk.
- 紧，。Shíjiān hěn jǐn, wǒmen bìxū kuài diǎn.Time is tight; we must hurry.
- 紧。Qǐng bǎ shéngzi jǐn yíxià.Please tighten the rope a bit.
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