About
The character 拉 is a phono-semantic compound formed by the hand radical 扌, indicating manual action, and the phonetic component 立, which historically suggested its pronunciation. Its core meaning centered on physical acts of pulling, dragging, or tugging, which naturally extended to related actions such as playing string instruments by drawing a bow or causing something to stretch. Over time, its applications multiplied through metaphorical and practical shifts, embracing notions of involving or recruiting others, soliciting favor or business, and even describing the tearing of materials. This semantic broadening integrated the character into numerous compounds, where it conveys concepts ranging from the crafting of hand-pulled noodles to denoting casual conversation or the leading of groups, reflecting an adaptive journey from concrete physical manipulation to abstract interpersonal dynamics.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我拉弟弟的手。
请拉开窗帘。
妈妈在拉面。
他拉小提琴。
这个拉链很难拉。
我们拉他参加比赛。
公司正在拉投资。
他拉拢了一些支持者。