keen
gb/kˈin/ us/kˈin/
B1
English
~ 2300
lelkes, nagyon szeretne, éles, éleslátó, éles eszű, éles szemű, kifinomult, jajgatva sirat, jajveszékel, siratóéneket énekel
B1
1
lelkes
B1
Usage pattern:
keen on [something] / keen to [do something]
She’s very keen on learning new languages.
Nagyon lelkes az új nyelvek tanulása iránt.
I’m keen to start the new project as soon as possible.
Nagyon szeretném minél hamarabb elkezdeni az új projektet.
He is a keen supporter of the local football team.
They were keen to explore the city together.
Our teacher is keen on encouraging creativity in class.
Learner examples
I am keen to visit London.
Nagyon szeretnék elmenni Londonba.
She is keen on reading books.
Nagyon szeret könyveket olvasni.
He is keen to play football.
We are keen to meet new people.
My brother is keen on cooking.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'keen' with 'sharp' in all contexts. While 'keen' can mean 'sharp', in this sense it refers to enthusiasm, not physical sharpness.
Meaning
Very eager or enthusiastic
Collocations
keen interest
|keen to learn
|keen supporter
|keen on sports
|keen observer
Synonyms
eager (Similar in meaning but slightly more common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
indifferent (Lacking interest or concern.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very interested and excited about something.
Having or showing a strong interest, eagerness, or enthusiasm for something.
B2
2
éles
A2
The chef’s knife has a keen edge.
A séf késének éles pengéje van.
He sharpened the sword until it was keen enough to slice paper.
Addig élezte a kardot, amíg elég éles nem lett ahhoz, hogy papírt vágjon vele.
Be careful, that blade is extremely keen.
Hunters value a keen arrowhead for accuracy.
The tailor used a pair of keen scissors.
Learner examples
The knife has a keen edge.
A késnek éles az éle.
This blade is very keen.
Ez a penge nagyon éles.
Be careful with that keen knife.
The scissors are not keen anymore.
The sword is keen and dangerous.
Meaning
Sharp-edged or pointed
Collocations
keen blade
|keen knife
|keen edge
Synonyms
sharp (Most common equivalent; 'keen' is more literary or formal in this sense.)
Antonyms
blunt (Not sharp; unable to cut easily.)
Themes
tools
|physical properties
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Sharp enough to cut or pierce.
Having a sharp edge or point that can cut or pierce easily.
B2
3
She has a keen eye for detail.
Nagyon jó szeme van a részletekhez.
His keen mind made him an excellent detective.
Éles eszének köszönhetően kiváló detektív lett.
You need a keen sense of observation for this job.
A journalist must have a keen understanding of current affairs.
He’s known for his keen analytical skills.
Learner examples
She has a keen mind.
Éles esze van.
He has a keen eye for detail.
Jó szeme van a részletekhez.
We need someone with a keen mind.
She is very keen at seeing problems early.
He has a keen understanding of the work.
Meaning
Mentally sharp or perceptive
Collocations
keen mind
|keen eye for detail
|keen intellect
Synonyms
perceptive (Focuses on noticing details quickly and accurately.)
Antonyms
slow-witted (Slow to understand or notice things.)
Themes
intelligence
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to see or understand things quickly and well.
Able to notice, understand, or judge things quickly and clearly.
B1
4
kifinomult
B2
éles
A2
Dogs have a keen sense of smell.
A kutyáknak nagyon kifinomult a szaglásuk.
Her keen hearing allowed her to notice the faintest sounds.
Éles hallásának köszönhetően a leghalkabb hangokat is észrevette.
Birds of prey have keen eyesight.
He has a particularly keen sense of taste for wine.
The hunter’s keen vision spotted movement far away.
Learner examples
Dogs have a keen sense of smell.
A kutyáknak nagyon jó a szaglásuk.
She has keen hearing.
Éles a hallása.
He has keen eyesight.
Cats have a keen sense of hearing.
My friend has a keen nose for perfume.
Meaning
Highly developed sense ability
Collocations
keen sense of smell
|keen hearing
|keen eyesight
Synonyms
acute (Often used for senses; slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
weak (Not strong or effective in physical senses.)
Themes
senses
|body
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to see, hear, smell, etc., very well.
Having a highly developed physical sense, such as sight, hearing, or smell.
VERB
C1
LITERARY
5
Usage pattern:
to keen for [someone] / over [someone]
The women began to keen over the body of the deceased.
Az asszonyok jajgatva siratni kezdték az elhunytat.
She keened for her lost child through the night.
Egész éjjel jajgatva siratta elvesztett gyermekét.
In the old tradition, they would keen at funerals.
Villagers gathered to keen after the tragic accident.
They keened until sunrise as part of the ritual.
Learner examples
They keened for the dead man.
Jajgatva siratták a halott férfit.
She keened all night for her friend.
Egész éjjel jajgatva siratta a barátját.
The women keened at the funeral.
They keened in sadness when he died.
People keened after the accident.
Meaning
Wail in grief for the dead
Collocations
keen over the body
|women keening
Synonyms
lament (More general term for expressing grief; not always by wailing.)
Antonyms
celebrate (To express joy instead of grief.)
Themes
death
|culture
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To cry loudly when someone dies, especially in some traditions.
To make a loud, mournful cry, especially for someone who has died; traditionally in Irish and Scottish culture.
Grammar
Dictionary form
keen
IPA
GB/kˈin/
US/kˈin/
Syllables & stress
keen (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (keen)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: keen
- Comparative: keener
- Superlative: keenest
Verb
- Base: keen
- 3rd Person Singular: keens
- Present Participle: keening
- Past: keened
Word family
Forms
keens
verb
keening
verb
keened
verb
keener
adjective
keenest
adjective
Core family
keenly
adverb B2
keenness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unkeen
adjective
Expressions
keen eye for detail
1/kˈin ˈaɪ fɚ dˈiteɪl/
fixed phrase
Good at noticing details
Able to see and notice small details well.
Examples
- An editor must have a keen eye for detail.
- Her paintings show her keen eye for detail.
keen on
1/kˈin ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Very interested in something
To like something very much or be very interested in it.
Examples
- I’m really keen on hiking these days.
- She’s not too keen on spicy food.
keen to do something
1/kˈin tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Eager to start an action
Wanting very much to do something soon.
Examples
- We’re all keen to get started on the trip.
- He’s keen to learn how to surf.