Meaning
抓紧 literally means 'to grasp tightly' but is commonly used figuratively to mean 'hurry up' or 'seize the opportunity.' It emphasizes the urgency of taking action or making good use of limited time. Native speakers use it both for physical grasping and for abstract concepts like seizing opportunities or working efficiently.
Usage
抓紧 is frequently used in everyday speech to urge someone to hurry or to remind them not to waste time. It often appears in phrases like 抓紧时间 (make the most of time) or as an imperative 抓紧! (Hurry up!). It's casual to neutral in register and commonly heard in work, school, and daily life contexts.
Examples
- 01我们得抓紧时间完成这个项目。.We need to hurry up and finish this project.
- 02抓紧！火车五分钟后就要开了。! .Hurry up! The train is leaving in five minutes.
Characters
Common collocations
- 抓紧时间to hurry up, to make the most of time
- 抓紧学习to study diligently/intensively
- 抓紧工作to work hard, to focus on work
- 抓紧机会to seize the opportunity
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 抓 (to grab) with 紧 (tight/urgent), creating a vivid image of holding something tightly. The metaphorical extension to 'seize time/opportunity' follows naturally from the physical act of gripping firmly.