顶针

頂針

dǐngzhēn

noun #33,483

Measure Word

一个顶针 gè

Meanings

1 thimble (worn on the finger when sewing)
2 (rhetoric) anadiplosis — the device of starting each line with the last word of the previous one

Characters

top; to push against

Examples

奶奶缝衣服时总戴着顶针。

Nǎinai féng yīfu shí zǒng dài zhe dǐngzhēn.

Grandma always wears a thimble when sewing clothes.

这首诗用了顶针的修辞手法。

Zhè shǒu shī yòng le dǐngzhēn de xiūcí shǒufǎ.

This poem uses the rhetorical device of anadiplosis.

Tips

memory

The literal sense is transparent: 顶 'to push/butt against' + 针 'needle' → the metal cap that takes the push of the needle when you sew. The rhetorical sense (also written 顶真) extends the same image: each line 'pushes' the next using the same word at the seam.

culture

顶针 as a poetic device is famous from lines like 王维's 出门望长安，长安日已斜 — 'long'an' ends one clause and starts the next. Common in folk songs and classical poetry.

Stroke Order

顶 dǐng

针 zhēn