Meaning
抓住 means to physically grab or catch something with your hands, or figuratively to seize an opportunity or grasp a concept. It combines 抓 (to grab) with 住 (a complement indicating firmness or completion), emphasizing that the action results in a secure hold.
Usage
Used in both literal contexts (grabbing physical objects or catching someone) and figurative contexts (seizing opportunities, grasping main points). The 住 complement indicates successful completion—you not only grabbed but also held on. Common in everyday speech and writing across all registers.
Examples
- 01他抓住了绳子，没有掉下去。, .He grabbed the rope and didn't fall down.
- 02我们要抓住这次难得的机会。.We must seize this rare opportunity.
Characters
Common collocations
- 抓住机会to seize an opportunity
- 抓住重点to grasp the main point
- 抓住时机to seize the right moment
- 抓住不放to hold on tightly, not let go
Antonyms
Origin
The character 抓 shows a hand radical (扌) grabbing with claws, while 住 originally meant 'to dwell/stay,' later grammaticalized into a resultative complement meaning the action achieved a firm result.