抓 (zhuā) — to grab; to seize; to catch; to arrest; to scratch (an itch)
Definition
抓 is a general 'grab/catch' verb used for seizing things, arresting people, and scratching an itch. 比 抢 (snatch/rush for) less forceful and competitive; 比 挠 more common for everyday scratching.
verb
to grabto seizeto catchto arrestto scratch (an itch)
Examples
- 。Tā zhuā zhù le wǒ de gē bo.He grabbed my arm.
- 。Jǐng chá zhuā zhù le nà ge xiǎo tōu.The police caught that thief.
- ，抓抓。Nǐ de bèi yǎng, wǒ bāng nǐ zhuā yi zhuā.Your back is itchy; let me scratch it for you.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
抓 is built from 手 (hand) and 爪. The hand part points to actions like grab, catch, or scratch, while 爪 gives the sound.
Appears in
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