adjective HSK 5
quick · nimble · agile · sensitive
Meaning
敏 describes quickness and agility, both physical and mental. It often appears in compounds referring to alertness, sensitivity, or swift responsiveness. The character suggests someone who reacts or perceives things quickly and accurately.
Usage
敏 is typically used in formal or written contexts and rarely appears alone in everyday speech. It's most commonly found in compound words like 敏感 (sensitive), 敏捷 (agile), and 灵敏 (keen/responsive). When describing people's qualities, it carries a positive connotation of being sharp and perceptive.
Examples
- 01她对语言很敏感，学外语特别快。, .She is very sensitive to languages and learns foreign languages especially quickly.
- 02这只猫动作敏捷，一下子就抓住了老鼠。, .This cat is agile and caught the mouse in an instant.
Common collocations
- 敏锐sharp, keen (perception)
- 勤敏diligent and quick
- 敏于quick at, sensitive to
Antonyms
Origin
The character 敏 combines 每 (měi, every) with 攵 (pū, strike/tap), suggesting someone who responds to every stimulus or acts swiftly in every situation.