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锋利 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
锋利fēnglìsharp (e.g. knife blade)HSK 7, a, rank #8908, Hard
锋利fēnglìincisiveHSK 7, a, rank #8908, Hard
锋利fēnglìto the pointHSK 7, a, rank #8908, Hard
fēnglì(feng1li4) T1
  1. 1sharp (e.g. knife blade)
  2. 2incisive
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March 24, 2026
锋利(鋒利)fēnglì(feng1li4)

锋利 (fēnglì) describes something that is sharp, such as a knife or blade, indicating its ability to cut easily. It can also refer to a person's wit or remarks being incisive and to the point, highlighting clarity and precision in communication.

Frequency#8908DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of sharpness is often associated with wisdom and clarity of thought. A sharp mind is highly valued, and the term is frequently used in literature to describe insightful critiques or analyses.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'sharp' knife cutting through the air with its '锋' (fēng) edge, which resembles a blade. The '利' (lì) component can be linked to '利器' (lìqì), meaning a sharp tool, reinforcing the idea of sharpness in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Meanings of 锋利

fēnglì(feng1li4)
1sharp (e.g. knife blade)
2incisive
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 锋利

锋利Simplified
鋒利Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#8908Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 锋利

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Podcast: 锋利

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AI Study Notes for 锋利

Quick Contrast

锋锐 (fēngruì) - use 锋利 (fēnglì) for general sharpness, while 锋锐 (fēngruì) is often more specific to the sharpness of blades or tools.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'sharp' knife cutting through the air with its '锋' (fēng) edge, which resembles a blade. The '利' (lì) component can be linked to '利器' (lìqì), meaning a sharp tool, reinforcing the idea of sharpness in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Usage Notes

Avoid using 锋利 in overly casual contexts, as it carries a slightly formal tone. Common collocations include '锋利的刀' (sharp knife) and '锋利的批评' (sharp criticism). Remember to use the correct tones, as mispronouncing can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 锋利 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to precision and clarity. Focus on using it in complex sentences to express nuanced ideas about sharpness, both literally and figuratively.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of sharpness is often associated with wisdom and clarity of thought. A sharp mind is highly valued, and the term is frequently used in literature to describe insightful critiques or analyses.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 锋利 with 刺 (cì), which means 'to stab.' For example, saying '这把刀很刺' (This knife is very stabbing) is incorrect; instead, use '这把刀很锋利' (This knife is very sharp).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 锋利

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Component Characters

锋fēngpoint of a spear
12 strokes钅
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利lìsharp
HSK 67 strokes刂
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Write 锋利

锋
利

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Grammar Patterns of 锋利

锋利 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

____的刀刃可能会划伤皮肤，导致出血。

A sharp blade is likely to nick the skin and draw blood.

Example Sentences for 锋利 (10)

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1
锋利的刀刃可能会划伤皮肤，导致出血。

fēng lì de dāo rèn kě néng huì huá shāng pí fū， ， dǎo zhì chū。

A sharp blade is likely to nick the skin and draw blood.
2
地上铺满了棱角锋利的石子。

dì shàng pū mǎn le léng jiǎo fēng lì de shí zǐ。

The ground was strewn with sharp-edged pebbles.
3
用一把非常锋利的刀将褐色的皮从肉上剥去。

yòng yī bǎ fēi cháng fēng lì de dāo jiāng hè sè de pí cóng ròu shàng bāo qù。

Pare the brown skin from the meat with a very sharp knife.
4
他把刀磨锋利.

tā bǎ dāo mó fēng lì.

He ground the knife sharp.
5
把烤面包顶部用锋利的锯齿刀交错切开。

bǎ kǎo miàn bāo dǐng bù yòng fēng lì de jù chǐ dāo jiāo cuò qiē kāi。

Slash the tops of the loaves with a sharp serrated knife in a criss-cross pattern.
6
用一把锋利的刀削去两种水果的外皮和中果皮。

yòng yī bǎ fēng lì de dāo xiāo qù liǎng zhǒng shuǐ guǒ de wài pí hé zhōng guǒ pí。

Using a sharp knife, cut away the pith and peel from both fruits.
7
剥开一只厚皮橙子，用锋利的刀将两端削去使它呈方形。

bāo kāi yī zhī hòu pí chéng zǐ， ， yòng fēng lì de dāo jiāng liǎng duān xiāo qù shǐ tā chéng fāng。

Peel a thick-skinned orange and square off the ends with a sharp knife.
8
这把刀是旧的, 但刀刃锋利.

zhè bǎ dāo shì jiù de, , dàn dāo rèn fēng.

The knife was old, but the blade had a keen edge.
9
她在厨房里用一把锋利的刀剥鱼鳞.

tā zài chú fáng lǐ yòng yī bǎ fēng lì de dāo bāo yú lín.

She is scaling fish with a sharp knife in the kitchen.
10
他喜欢富布赖特思想开朗, 谈吐锋利.

tā xǐ huān fù bù lài tè sī xiǎng kāi lǎng, , tán tǔ fēng.

He liked Fulbright, the play of his civilized mind and, bite of his language.

Cultural Notes for 锋利

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of sharpness is often associated with wisdom and clarity of thought. A sharp mind is highly valued, and the term is frequently used in literature to describe insightful critiques or analyses.

Frequently Asked Questions about 锋利

Yes, it can describe opinions or arguments that are incisive and clearly articulated.