尖る
とがる · togaru · JLPT N2 · verb-godan
to become sharp
✏️ 尖 = 小 (small) on top of 大 (big): a wide base narrowing to a small tip
The kanji 尖 is also read sen in 尖端 (sentan, tip). Both words share the idea of a shape getting narrower until it ends in a point.
尖 — small 小 on top + big 大 on bottom
尖 is a compound ideograph: 小 (small) sits above 大 (big), depicting something that tapers from broad to narrow — a point or tip. It's a relatively late character, formed by meaning-combination rather than sound, and still means 'pointed,' 'sharp,' or 'tip' today.