zhuā: 抓 - Grab, Catch, Seize, Scratch

Keywords: zhua, 抓, Chinese character for grab, how to say catch in Chinese, meaning of zhua, what is zhuazhou, 抓捕, 抓住, 抓娃娃, 抓痒, Chinese grammar verb, HSK 3 word

Summary: Learn the versatile Chinese verb 抓 (zhuā), a fundamental HSK 3 word that means “to grab” or “to catch.” This page explores its core meaning, from the physical act of grabbing an object or playing the claw machine (抓娃娃) to abstract ideas like seizing an opportunity (抓住机会) or arresting a suspect (抓捕). Discover its cultural significance through the “first birthday grab” (抓周) ceremony and learn to use it like a native speaker.

Pinyin (with tone marks): zhuā

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: 3

Concise Definition: To use a hand or claw to take hold of something firmly; to grab, catch, or seize.

In a Nutshell: 抓 (zhuā) is the primary Chinese verb for the action of grabbing or seizing something with force or speed. Think of a hand closing quickly around a ball, a police officer apprehending a thief, or a cat catching a mouse. This core physical meaning of “seizing” is then extended to more abstract situations, like “grabbing” a chance, “focusing on” the main point, or even “scratching” an itch. It's an active, dynamic word that implies intent and quickness.

The character 抓 is a brilliant example of a phono-semantic compound, where one part gives the meaning and the other gives the sound.

扌(shǒu): The radical on the left is a compressed form of 手 (shǒu), the character for “hand.” This part is called the “hand radical” and indicates that the action is performed with the hand.

爪 (zhǎo/zhuǎ): The component on the right originally depicted a “claw” or “talon.” It also provides the phonetic sound for 抓 (zhuā).

Combined Meaning: The character literally shows a hand (扌) acting like a claw (爪). This creates a vivid image of the intended action: a quick, firm, claw-like grabbing motion.

The most famous cultural practice involving 抓 (zhuā) is 抓周 (zhuāzhōu), the “first-year grab” ceremony. On a baby's first birthday, various objects representing different professions or life paths (e.g., a pen for a scholar, money for wealth, a toy sword for a warrior) are placed in front of them. The object the baby grabs first is believed to foretell their future interests and career.

Comparison to Western Culture: While Western cultures celebrate a child's first birthday with parties and gifts, there isn't a widely practiced equivalent to 抓周 (zhuāzhōu). This ceremony highlights a traditional Chinese cultural interest in destiny, symbolism, and the future potential of a child. It's a joyful family event that blends hope and tradition.

In a modern context, the concept of 抓重点 (zhuā zhòngdiǎn), or “grabbing the key points,” is crucial in Chinese education and business. It reflects a pragmatic and efficient mindset, emphasizing the importance of identifying and focusing on the most critical information to solve a problem or achieve a goal. This is similar to the English idiom “getting to the bottom line,” but the verb 抓 makes the action feel more active and decisive.

抓 is an extremely common verb used in many different situations, from everyday life to formal news reports.

Physical Actions: This is its most common use. It's used for grabbing an item, catching a thrown object (if it requires a “grab”), or catching an animal.

Games and Entertainment: The term 抓娃娃 (zhuā wáwa), “to grab dolls,” is universally understood to mean playing a claw machine, a massively popular pastime in malls and arcades across China.

Law and Order: In news reports and crime dramas, you will constantly hear 抓 (zhuā) or 抓捕 (zhuābǔ) to mean “to arrest” or “to capture” a suspect.

Abstract Concepts: 抓 is frequently used with abstract nouns like “time” or “opportunity.” 抓紧时间 (zhuājǐn shíjiān) means “to make the most of one's time” or “to hurry up.” 抓住机会 (zhuāzhù jīhuì) means “to seize an opportunity.”

Bodily Sensations: To describe scratching an itch, you use 抓痒 (zhuā yǎng).

Colloquialisms: A unique and common colloquial use is 抓药 (zhuā yào), which literally means “to grab medicine.” It refers to going to a pharmacy, especially a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacy, to have a prescription filled. The term harks back to when pharmacists would physically grab different herbs to fill a prescription.

抓住 (zhuāzhù) - A resultative verb meaning “to catch successfully” or “to hold on firmly.” It emphasizes the successful outcome of the grab.

抓紧 (zhuājǐn) - To grab tightly; used figuratively to mean “to hurry” or “to make the most of (time, opportunity).”

抓捕 (zhuābǔ) - A formal, two-character verb for “to arrest” or “to capture,” often used in legal or news contexts.

抓狂 (zhuākuáng) - A vivid, informal expression meaning “to be driven crazy” or “to go berserk,” as if one is scratching their own head in frustration.

抓周 (zhuāzhōu) - The specific cultural term for the “first-year grab” ceremony for babies.

拿 (ná) - A near-synonym to contrast with; the general, neutral verb for “to take” or “to hold.”

接 (jiē) - To catch something thrown to you; to receive. Important to distinguish from 抓.

挠 (náo) - A more specific verb for “to scratch,” often implying a lighter, less forceful scratching than 抓.

把握 (bǎwò) - To grasp (an opportunity, a concept); to hold. Often used for abstract things and implies confidence and control, e.g., `把握机会 (bǎwò jīhuì)`. It's a more formal synonym for the abstract sense of 抓住.