Chinese word

抓

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhuā

Meaning

  • verbgrab

Example

他一把抓住我的手。tā yì bǎ zhuā zhù wǒ de shǒu

He grabbed my hand in one quick motion.

Illustration for 抓 (grab)

More examples

他把机会抓住了，所以成功了。tā bǎ jī huì zhuā zhù le suó yǐ chéng gōng le

He seized the opportunity, so he succeeded.

Core concept

A reaching hand makes firm contact with a target, bringing it within control or leaving a mark when the nails drag across it.

Common phrases

  • 抓住重点zhuā zhù zhòng diǎn

    grasp the key point

  • 被抓住bèi zhuā zhù

    be caught

  • 抓紧机会zhuā jǐn jī huì

    seize the opportunity

Similar words

抓住zhuā zhù: Take hold of something and keep holding it so it cannot get away or be lost.
拿ná: Take or hold something in the hand.
握住wò zhù: Hold something firmly in the hand without letting go.
抓紧zhuā jǐn: Grab something tightly and keep the grip from loosening.

Definition in Chinese

用手或工具抓取或牢牢握住某物，也可引申为制服、逮捕或把握时机的行为。yòng shǒu huò gōng jù zhuā qǔ huò láo láo wò zhù mǒu wù yě kě yǐn shēn wèi zhì fú dài bǔ huò bǎ wò shí jī de xíng wéi

Word origin

抓 (zhuā, "to grab") combines 扌 (shǒu, "hand"), the meaning-bearing component, with 爪 (zhǎo, "claw"), which chiefly contributes the pronunciation.

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, this verb is a normal direct way to describe police taking someone away, whereas official reports usually choose a more formal legal term.

Other meanings

  • catchverb
  • arrestverb
  • scratchverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word