keen
word
/ˈkin/
keen
/kˈiːn/
keen
Definition
Feeling very eager, interested, or enthusiastic about something. Also, having sharp senses or a sharp edge.
Usage & Nuances
'Keen' is somewhat formal for 'enthusiastic'; 'keen on' is common for liking things/people ('keen on sports'). It describes sharpness for senses ('keen sense of smell') or edges ('a keen knife'). Often found in British English with 'keen to' (wanting to do). Don’t use with negative feelings.
Spanish: entusiasta - agudo (sentido) - afilado (objeto)Portuguese (BR): entusiasmado - aguçado (sentido) - afiado (objeto)Portuguese (PT): entusiasmado - aguçado (sentido) - afiado (objeto)Chinese (Simplified): 渴望的 - 敏锐的 - 锋利的Chinese (Traditional): 渴望的 - 敏銳的 - 鋒利的Hindi: उत्साहित - तीक्ष्ण (इंद्रिय) - तेज़ (वस्तु)Arabic: حريص - حاد (إحساس) - حاد (جسم)Bengali: উৎসাহী - আগ্রহী - ধারালো (ধার বা অনুভূতি সম্পর্কে)Russian: страстный - увлечённый - острый (о ноже, чувстве)Japanese: 熱心な - 鋭い（感覚や刃物について）Vietnamese: hăng hái - nhiệt tình - sắc (dao, giác quan)Korean: 열렬한 - 예리한 (감각, 칼 등)Turkish: hevesli - istekli - keskin (bıçak veya duyu için)Urdu: پرجوش - بہت دلچسپی رکھنے والا - تیز (چاقو یا احساس)Indonesian: antusias - tajam (untuk pisau, indra)
Example Sentences
She is keen to start her new job.
basic
He has a keen sense of smell.
basic
Are you keen on playing chess?
basic
Lucy’s really keen on getting that promotion.
natural
That’s a keen knife—be careful with it.
natural
I’m not keen on spicy food, to be honest.
natural