Definition
啃 (kěn) means to gnaw or nibble persistently on something hard (a bone, corn cob) using the front teeth — it implies effort and duration. 咬 (yǎo) is a single bite or nip, while 嚼 (jiáo) is chewing with the back teeth. 啃 also has a metaphorical sense of 'grinding through' a difficult book or subject.
verb
to gnaw or nibble (on something hard, like a bone or corn cob)to study or work hard at (a subject or book) — metaphorical extension of gnawing
Easily confused
- 肯kěnlook-aliketo be willing to; to consent
Examples
- 啃。Zhè zhī gǒu zhèngzài kěn yí kuài yìng gǔtou.This dog is gnawing on a hard bone.
- ，啃。Wèile tōngguò kǎoshì, tā měitiān zài kěn nà běn hòu shū.To pass the exam, he studies that thick book hard every day.
- 啃。Xiǎo háizi dōu xǐhuan kěn jī tuǐ.Children all like to gnaw on chicken drumsticks.
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