Definition
拔尖 is a colloquial stative verb that can describe someone as 'top-notch' or 'outstanding' (positive), but it can also mean 'to push oneself to the front' or 'to be overly competitive' (slightly negative). The tone and context determine which sense is intended. It's common in informal speech and often used with 想 (to want) or 是...的 patterns.
s.v.
top-notchoutstandingto push oneself to the frontto be overly competitive
Examples
- 拔尖。Tā zài shùxué fāngmiàn shì bá jiān de.He is top-notch in mathematics.
- 拔尖，。Nǐ bié zǒng xiǎng bá jiān, hézuò gèng zhòngyào.Don't always try to push yourself to the front; cooperation is more important.
- 拔尖，。Suīrán tā xuéxí bá jiān, dàn cóng bù jiāo'ào.Although she is top-notch in her studies, she is never arrogant.
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