捏

niē

HSK 7

捏 — niē

1. to hold between the thumb and fingers; to pinch; to mold (with the fingers)

   她在面团上捏了一个小花。 tā zài miàntuán shàng niē le yígè xiǎohuā — She pinched a small flower shape out of the dough.

2. to hold (literally in one's hand) or to seize/control (figurative)

   公司被几大股东捏在手里，难以独立决策。 gōngsī bèi jǐdà gǔdōng niē zài shǒulǐ nányǐ dúlì juécè — The company is held in the hands of a few major shareholders and finds it hard to make independent decisions.

3. to join together (pressing or pinching parts to connect)

   修理工把接口捏紧，防止漏水。 xiūlǐgōng bǎ jiēkǒu niējǐn fángzhǐ lòushuǐ — The repairman pinched the joint tightly to prevent leaks.

4. to fabricate; to make up (a story, report, etc.)

   别捏造事实来诋毁别人。 bié niēzàoshìshí lái dǐhuǐ biérén — Don't fabricate facts to smear others.