Meaning
抓 is a common action verb describing the physical act of seizing, grasping, or catching something with the hand. It emphasizes the grabbing motion and can be used both literally (grabbing an object) and figuratively (seizing an opportunity). The character's left component 扌(hand radical) indicates it involves hand action.
Usage
Native speakers use 抓 in everyday contexts for physical grabbing actions, catching animals or people, scratching an itch, and idiomatically for seizing abstract things like opportunities or time. Common in both spoken and written Chinese. Often appears in compounds like 抓住 (to firmly grasp) or 抓紧 (to hurry up, grasp tightly).
Examples
- 01他抓住了我的手。.He grabbed my hand.
- 02我们要抓紧时间完成这个项目。.We need to hurry up and finish this project.
Common collocations
- 抓住机会to seize an opportunity
- 抓紧时间to make the most of time, hurry up
- 抓痒to scratch an itch
- 抓小偷to catch a thief
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines 扌(hand radical) with 爪 (claw/talon), visually representing the act of a hand grasping or clawing at something.