Definitions

zuàn (verb) to hold; to grip; to grasp

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "攥" is etymologically formed by the hand radical on the left, signaling actions performed with the hand, combined with the component "纂" on the right, which primarily offers phonetic indication while also imparting a nuanced sense of gathering or bringing together. This structural arrangement conveys the meaning of clutching or grasping an object firmly, as if consolidating it within the hand. Over the course of its lexical history, the character has steadfastly retained this specific sense of tight gripping, without broadening or shifting into other semantic domains. Its composition has remained consistent, with the hand radical continually emphasizing the physicality of the action, and the phonetic component anchoring it within a series of characters sharing auditory similarities, thereby sustaining a clear link between its form and its functional definition as an act of secure manual holding.

Example Sentences Hide

住他的手。

Wǒ zuàn zhù tā de shǒu.

I grasped his hand.

着钱不放。

Tā zuàn zhe qián bù fàng.

He clutched the money and wouldn't let go.

孩子紧了玩具熊。

Háizi zuàn jǐn le wánjùxióng.

The child clenched the teddy bear tightly.

因为紧张,他紧了拳头。

Yīnwèi jǐnzhāng, tā zuàn jǐn le quántou.

Because he was nervous, he clenched his fist.

在风雨中,她住了伞柄。

Zài fēngyǔ zhōng, tā zuàn zhù le sǎnbǐng.

In the wind and rain, she gripped the umbrella handle.

他始终着那张旧照片。

Tā shǐzhōng zuàn zhe nà zhāng jiù zhàopiàn.

He always held onto that old photo.

尽管疼痛,他仍着她的手。

Jǐnguǎn téngtòng, tā réng zuàn zhe tā de shǒu.

Despite the pain, he still held her hand tightly.

着决定命运的信封,手微微发抖。

Tā zuàn zhe juédìng mìngyùn de xìnfēng, shǒu wēiwēi fādǒu.

She clutched the envelope that decided her fate, her hand trembling slightly.