棱角

稜角

léngjiǎo

noun HSK 7 #24,157

Meanings

1 sharp edges and corners
2 sharp personality; strong individuality

Characters

edge; ridge; arris

Edges (棱) and corners (角) — sharp features on an object or a person's personality.

Examples

这块石头棱角分明。

Zhè kuài shítou léngjiǎo fēnmíng.

This rock has sharp, well-defined edges.

社会会磨掉年轻人的棱角。

Shèhuì huì mó diào niánqīngrén de léngjiǎo.

Society will wear down a young person's sharp edges.

Tips

usage

棱角分明 (sharp-edged) describes both physical objects and people with strong, uncompromising personalities. 磨掉棱角 (grind down the edges) is a common metaphor for how life or society smooths out a person's rebellious spirit.

Stroke Order

棱 léng

角 jiǎo