Definition
掀 (xiān) means 'to lift' (a lid, cover) or 'to stir up' (a wave, controversy). Unlike 挑 (tiǎo), which means 'to lift with a pole' or 'to poke', 掀 implies a lifting motion from below or the side, often with force. 掀起 (xiān qǐ) is its compound form used for both physical lifting and figurative triggering.
verb
to lift (a lid, cover, etc.)to stir upto cause (a wave, controversy, etc.)
Easily confused
- 折zhélook-aliketo break, to fracture
- 先xiānsound-alikefirst, in advance, before others
- 线xiànsound-alikethread; string; wire; line
- 险xiǎnsound-alike(adjective) dangerous, perilous
- 献xiànsound-aliketo offer, to present (with respect, e.g. flowers, gifts, opinion)
- 陷xiànsound-aliketo sink into, to get stuck in (physical substance); to cave in
- 显xiǎnsound-alike(adjective) prominent, conspicuous, obvious
- 县xiànsound-alikecounty
- 闲xiánsound-alikefree (not busy), idle, unoccupied
- 嫌xiánsound-aliketo dislike (usually because something is unsatisfactory); to complain about; to find fault with
Examples
- ，。Tā xiān kāi guōgài, kàn le kàn tāng.She lifted the pot lid and looked at the soup.
- 。Tā de yǎnjiǎng xiān qǐ le quánchǎng de rèqíng.His speech stirred up the enthusiasm of the whole audience.
- 。Dà làng xiān fān le xiǎo chuán.Big waves overturned the small boat.
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