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搿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
搿géto hugg, 14 strokes, radical 手
gé(ge2) T2
  1. 1to hug
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March 24, 2026

搿gé(ge2)

The character 搿 (gé) primarily means 'to hug' or 'to embrace.' It conveys a sense of holding someone closely, typically in a caring or affectionate manner. This word is less commonly used than its synonyms, often appearing in literary or poetic contexts.

Strokes14Radical手
Cultural Note

Hugging is not a common form of greeting in traditional Chinese culture; rather, handshakes or bowing are preferred. However, the practice is becoming more accepted among younger generations and in urban areas, often signifying warmth and friendship.

Memory Tip

Imagine two friends, Ge and his buddy, hugging tightly, creating a bond. The character 搿 resembles two arms wrapping around someone, signifying closeness and affection in the act of hugging.

Meanings of 搿

gé(ge2)
1to hug
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 搿

搿Simplified
14Strokes
手Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 搿

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Podcast: 搿

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AI Study Notes for 搿

Quick Contrast

抱 (bào, to hug) vs 拥抱 (yōngbào, to embrace) — use 搿 for a more literary or poetic nuance.

Usage Notes

While 搿 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is more often found in written language or poetry rather than everyday conversation. Be cautious with pronunciation, as misplacing the tone can change the meaning of similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 搿 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding its components can help learners with other words related to emotions or physical actions. Focus on recognizing the character's radicals and how they relate to similar concepts of affection or interaction.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 搿 with similar characters like 拥 (yōng), which also means to embrace but is more commonly used. For example, saying 搿 instead of 拥抱 (yōng bào) in conversation could lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 搿

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Etymology of 搿

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

To clasp 合 with both hands 手

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 搿?

Decomposition of 搿

IDS Structure⿲手合手
搿Full Character
=
手shou3
left
合ge3
middle
手shou3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 搿?

How to say to hug in Chinese

“to hug” in Chinese is搿gé

The character 搿 (gé) primarily means 'to hug' or 'to embrace.' It conveys a sense of holding someone closely, typically in a caring or affectionate manner. This word is less commonly used than its synonyms, often appearing in literary or poetic contexts.

When to use 搿

While 搿 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is more often found in written language or poetry rather than everyday conversation. Be cautious with pronunciation, as misplacing the tone can change the meaning of similar-sounding words.

搿 or something close to it

抱 (bào, to hug) vs 拥抱 (yōngbào, to embrace) — use 搿 for a more literary or poetic nuance.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 搿 with similar characters like 拥 (yōng), which also means to embrace but is more commonly used. For example, saying 搿 instead of 拥抱 (yōng bào) in conversation could lead to misunderstandings.

Write 搿

搿

Practice writing 搿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 搿

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, hugging is a common greeting and expression of closeness, while in many parts of China, it may still be viewed as too intimate or reserved for close friends and family.

Word Family of 搿

Words Containing This Character1
搿géto hug

Frequently Asked Questions about 搿

No, 搿 is more often found in literary contexts and is less common in spoken language.

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