Definition
拧 (nǐng) means 'to twist' with a turning or screwing motion — used for lids, caps, towels, and pinching ears. It differs from 扭 (niǔ), which is a more general twist (e.g., turning a knob or spraining an ankle), and from 掐 (qiā), which is a precise pinch between thumb and finger (e.g., pinching off a leaf).
verb
to twist (a lid)to screw (a cap)to wring (a towel)to pinch (a cheek, ear)
Easily confused
- 拧nínglook-aliketo wring (e.g., a cloth)
- 打dǎlook-aliketo hit, strike, beat
Examples
- 拧。Tā bāng wǒ bǎ pínggài nǐng kāi le.He helped me twist the bottle cap open.
- 拧拧，。Tā nǐng le nǐng máojīn, ránhòu liàng qǐlai.She wrung the towel and then hung it to dry.
- 拧！Bié nǐng wǒ de ěrduo!Don't twist my ear!
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