抓

zhuā
扌 + 爪
HSK 2.0Level 5
HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

zhuā (verb) to grab; to catch; to seize
zhuā (verb) to scratch

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 瓜 represents the sound.

About

抓 is a phonosemantic compound: the hand radical 扌 gives the meaning, while 爪 (claw) supplies the sound and visually reinforces a hand forming a claw-like shape. It literally denotes grabbing, seizing, or scratching with nails or claws. Metaphorically, it extends to arresting a suspect, seizing a fleeting opportunity, or focusing attention sharply on a key point, always implying a sudden, decisive act of capture or control.

Example Sentences Hide

小猫抓住了一只老鼠。

Xiǎo māo zhuā zhù le yì zhī lǎoshǔ.

The kitten caught a mouse.

他迅速抓住了掉落的书。

Tā xùnsù zhuā zhù le diàoluò de shū.

He quickly caught the falling book.

警察抓住了逃跑的罪犯。

Jǐngchá zhuā zhù le táopǎo de zuìfàn.

The police caught the escaping criminal.

为了赢，我们必须抓住机会。

Wèile yíng, wǒmen bìxū zhuā zhù jīhuì.

To win, we must seize the opportunity.

如果你抓住重点，就能理解问题。

Rúguǒ nǐ zhuā zhù zhòngdiǎn, jiù néng lǐjiě wèntí.

If you grasp the main point, you can understand the problem.

他抓住栏杆，爬上了楼梯。

Tā zhuā zhù lángān, pá shàng le lóutī.

He grabbed the railing and climbed the stairs.

公司需要抓住市场变化的趋势。

Gōngsī xūyào zhuā zhù shìchǎng biànhuà de qūshì.

The company needs to grasp the trend of market changes.

在管理项目中，抓住时间节点至关重要。

Zài guǎnlǐ xiàngmù zhōng, zhuā zhù shíjiān jiédiǎn zhìguān zhòngyào.

In project management, grasping the time nodes is crucial.

Related Characters

Component: 扌

把 提 打 报 接 指 据 拉 持 技 找 推 投 护

Component: 爪

爬 爪 笊 坕

Example Words

抓住 抓拍 抓狂 抓获 抓紧 主抓 抓伤 抓包 抓去 抓取 抓大放小 抓奸 抓手 抓捕 抓挠 抓痒 抓瞎 抓耳挠腮 抓药 抓走 抓饭 抓阄