尖酸

jiānsuān

adjective #16,996

Meanings

Literally 'sharp and sour' — words that sting like acid.

Tā shuōhuà zǒngshì nàme jiānsuān.

She always speaks in such a scathing way.

Bié nàme jiānsuānkèbó, gěi rén liú diǎn miànzi.

Don't be so harsh and cutting — leave people some dignity.

usage

Often used in the four-character compound 尖酸刻薄 (jiānsuānkèbó, sharp and unkind). 尖酸 on its own focuses on the biting quality of someone's words.

尖 jiān

酸 suān