Chinese word

揽

Pronunciation

Pinyinlǎn

Meaning

  • verbgrab

Example

他一把揽住了我的手。tā yì bǎ lǎn zhù le wǒ de shǒu

He suddenly grabbed my hand.

Illustration for 揽 (grab)

More examples

他负责揽取困难的任务。tā fù zé lǎn qǔ kùn nán de rèn wù

He is responsible for taking on difficult tasks.

Core concept

Actively draw people, objects, or commitments toward oneself and keep them under one's control.

Common phrases

  • 揽住lǎn zhù

    grab hold of

  • 独揽市场dú lǎn shì chǎng

    monopolize the market

  • 揽取任务lǎn qǔ rèn wù

    take on tasks

Similar words

接受jiē shòu: Accept an offer, proposal, or assignment willingly.
承担chéng dān: Take responsibility for a duty or bear a burden.

Definition in Chinese

主动接受或承担某项工作、任务或责任；也可指用手抓住或抱住人或物。zhǔ dòng jiē shòu huò chéng dān mǒu xiàng gōng zuò rèn wù huò zé rèn yě kě zhǐ yòng shǒu zhuā zhù huò bào zhù rén huò wù

Word origin

揽 (lǎn, "to grasp") uses 扌 (shǒu, "hand") to suggest grasping and 览 (lǎn, "look over") for pronunciation, linking a physical hold with the later sense of gathering work or duties.

Usage tips

  • In casual work talk, 揽活儿 (lǎn huór, "look for work") signals active efforts to find jobs, not just willingness to do a job that someone has already offered.

Other meanings

  • take onverb
  • solicitverb
  • monopolizeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 揽取lǎn qǔseizeverb

Word lists with this word