‘锋利’ (fēng lì) is an adjective meaning 'sharp'—specifically describing the cutting edge of tools, weapons, or natural features like teeth or claws. The first character, 锋 (fēng), means 'point', 'edge', or 'tip', often referring to the sharp part of a blade; the second, 利 (lì), means 'advantageous', 'effective', or 'keen', and together they emphasize precision and cutting power. Unlike the more general term 尖 (jiān, 'pointed'), 锋利 focuses on functional sharpness that enables cutting, slicing, or piercing.

This word is commonly used for man-made objects such as knives, scissors, razors, and swords, but also appears in biological descriptions—for example, a tiger’s claws or a shark’s teeth may be called 锋利. It carries a neutral-to-positive connotation: a 锋利 knife is desirable in cooking, while 锋利的牙齿 might suggest danger or predation. It does not describe abstract sharpness (e.g., 'a sharp mind')—for that, use 敏锐 (mǐn ruì).