Definition
键 (jiàn) means 'key' on a keyboard or piano, and 'button' on a mouse or similar device. It differs from 钥匙 (yàoshi), which refers to a physical key for locks, and from 按钮 (ànniǔ), which is a general press-able button (like on a control panel). The term also has the specialized sense 'chemical bond'.
noun
key (on a keyboard, piano, etc.)button (on a mouse or other device)chemical bond
Easily confused
- 建jiànlook-aliketo build, to establish, to construct
- 见jiànsound-aliketo see; to meet
- 件jiànsound-alike(classifier) for items of clothing, objects, and matters
- 间jiānsound-alike(classifier) for rooms, offices, and other enclosed spaces
- 剑jiànsound-alikedouble-edged sword
- 剪jiǎnsound-aliketo cut with scissors; to trim
- 捡jiǎnsound-aliketo pick up; to collect; to gather
- 尖jiānsound-alike(adjective) sharp, pointed; shrill, tapering; shrill, piercing; acute, keen
- 箭jiànsound-alikearrow
- 贱jiànsound-alike(adjective) cheap, inexpensive (of goods)
Examples
- 键。Qǐng àn yí xià zhège jiàn.Please press this key.
- 键。Shǔbiāo de zuǒ jiàn kěyǐ diǎn kāi wénjiàn.The left button of the mouse can open files.
- 。Zhège huàxué jiàn hěn láogù.This chemical bond is very strong.
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