尖

尖 is a pure ideogram formed by:

小 (“small”) on the top

大 (“big”) on the bottom

The shape describes a base that is large (大) and a tip that tapers to small (小).

Hence the meaning “sharp, pointed, tapering toward the top.”

This visual contrast expresses a narrowing form—like the point of a knife, peak of a mountain, or sharp object.

There is no phonetic component; the meaning is derived entirely through pictorial composition.

《說文解字》(Shuowen Jiezi):

「尖，峻也。从小，大。」

“尖 means steep or sharp. Formed from 小 above 大.”

첨단 (尖端) — tip; cutting edge; advanced

첨봉 (尖峰) — sharp peak

첨각 (尖角) — pointed angle

첨예 (尖銳) — sharp; acute; intense (conflict, debate)

《莊子·逍遙遊》 (Zhuangzi)

「其大若垣，其細若毫，其尖如芒。」

“Its base is as broad as a wall, its body as fine as a hair, and its tip as sharp as a thorn.”