About
The character 拈 is a phono-semantic compound. Its left side, the hand radical 扌, indicates an action performed by the hands or fingers. The right side, 占, provides the pronunciation but not the core meaning. The primary definition is to pick up, hold, or pinch something small lightly between the thumb and one or two fingers. This core sense is also seen in the idiom 拈花惹草, used metaphorically to describe womanizing or engaging in casual romantic affairs.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
她拈着一片叶子。
他拈起一块糖。
妹妹拈花瓣玩。
爸爸拈起掉落的钥匙。
他用筷子拈起豆子。
拈起这些碎片要小心。
在刺绣时，她拈着细针穿线。
科学家用精密仪器拈起微生物样本。