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March 24, 2026
手shǒu(shou3)
The character 手 (shǒu) means 'hand' and is used in various contexts related to holding, crafting, or performing tasks. It can refer to a person skilled in a particular trade or simply denote the act of using one's hands in a personal or convenient manner. In formal contexts, it can also imply the act of holding something.
Strokes4Radical手Frequency#252DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the hand symbolizes not just physical ability but also craftsmanship and artistry. The phrase '手艺人' (artisan) highlights the respect for skilled labor and traditional crafts, reflecting the cultural value placed on craftsmanship.
Memory Tip
Imagine your hand (手) holding a large 'shovel' (the 'sh' sound) to dig a hole. The character resembles an outstretched hand, emphasizing its meaning and function. Picture yourself using your hands to create or perform tasks, linking the physical action to the character's form.
Meanings of 手
shǒu(shou3)
1hand
2(formal) to hold
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 手
手Simplified
4Strokes
手Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#252Frequency Rank
双Measure Word
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1BCT✓CEFRA1
Podcast: 手
Podcast: 手
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AI Study Notes for 手
Quick Contrast
手 (shǒu) vs 叉 (chā) — use 手 for 'hand' in general contexts, while 叉 specifically refers to a 'fork' or 'prong'.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine your hand (手) holding a large 'shovel' (the 'sh' sound) to dig a hole. The character resembles an outstretched hand, emphasizing its meaning and function. Picture yourself using your hands to create or perform tasks, linking the physical action to the character's form.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 手 (shǒu) with similar-sounding characters. It is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, but the context may change its connotation. Watch for collocations such as '手工' (handmade) and '手艺' (skill), which emphasize the craftsmanship associated with hands.
HSK Study Tips
手 (shǒu) is relevant for learners at HSK Level 1 and above as it relates to everyday activities and descriptions. Focus on combining it with other characters to form common phrases, such as '手表' (watch) or '手册' (manual), to expand vocabulary and comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the hand symbolizes not just physical ability but also craftsmanship and artistry. The phrase '手艺人' (artisan) highlights the respect for skilled labor and traditional crafts, reflecting the cultural value placed on craftsmanship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 手 (shǒu) with similar characters like 攴 (pū) or 扌 (tí), which are related but have different meanings. For instance, using 手 to mean 'tool' is incorrect; the correct character for 'tool' is 工具 (gōngjù).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 手
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Grammar Patterns of 手
手 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
If the cortisone doesn't take, I may have to have surgery.
4
抓紧我的手，跟着我。
zhuā jǐn wǒ de shǒu， ， gēn zháo。
Just hold tight to my hand and follow along.
5
我笨手笨脚的，总挨训。
wǒ bèn shǒu bèn jiǎo de， ， zǒng āi。
I'm always being told off for being so awkward.
6
他和我把这个棘手的问题整个儿都讨论清楚了。
tā hé wǒ bǎ zhè gè jí shǒu de wèn tí zhěng gè ér dū tǎo lùn qīng chǔ le。
He and I have talked through this whole tricky problem.
7
我的双手、靴子和裤子上都沾满了泥巴。
wǒ de shuāng shǒu、 、 xuē zǐ hé kù zǐ shàng dū zhān mǎn le ní。
My hands, boots and trousers were plastered with mud.
8
我把手伸到桌子的另一边，捏住他的手。
wǒ bǎ shǒu shēn dào zhuō zǐ de lìng yī biān， ， niē zhù tā de。
I reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
9
她突然张开手臂搂住我的脖子，然后吻了我一下。
tā tū rán zhāng kāi shǒu bì lǒu zhù wǒ de bó zǐ， ， rán hòu wěn le wǒ yī。
She flung her arms around my neck and kissed me.
10
做你拿手的事情，不要勉为其难。
zuò nǐ ná shǒu de shì qíng， ， bù yào miǎn wéi qí。
Do what you know you can do well and don't overstretch yourself.
n(formal) to hold3
11
请握住我的手，我们一起走。
Qǐng wò zhù wǒ de shǒu, wǒmen yīqǐ zǒu.
Please hold my hand, let's walk together.
12
妈妈用手抱着宝宝，轻轻地摇晃。
Māma yòng shǒu bàozhe bǎobǎo, qīngqīng de yáohuàng.
Mom holds the baby in her hands and gently rocks.
13
上台时，他紧张地抓住了我的手。
Shàng tái shí, tā jǐnzhāng de zhuāzhùle wǒ de shǒu.
When going on stage, he nervously held my hand.
Cultural Notes for 手
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the hand symbolizes not just physical ability but also craftsmanship and artistry. The phrase '手艺人' (artisan) highlights the respect for skilled labor and traditional crafts, reflecting the cultural value placed on craftsmanship.
Word Family of 手
Compounds42
拿na2old variant of 拿[ná]
摩mo2to rub
掌zhang3palm of the hand
拳quan2fist
擎qing2to raise (hand)
挚Zhi4surname Zhi
攀pan1to climb (by pulling oneself up)
挛luan2tangled, entwined; crooked
掰bai1to break off or break open sth with one's hands
掣che4to pull, to drag; to hinder, to pull back
摹mo2to trace; to imitate, to copy; pattern
挲sa1to feel or fondle with the fingers
挈qie4to assist, to help; to lead by hand
擘bai1thumb; to rip, to tear; to split, to analyze
摯zhi4sincere, warm, cordial; surname
挐
挙
掔
掱pa2to pickpocket
揅
揫
摮
摰
撃
撆
擥
杽
劧
抙
拏
拲
揧
揱
搫
搻
撀
撉
擊ji1to strike, to hit, to beat; to attack, to fight
擧
擪
攣luan2tangled, entwined; crooked
藆
Words Containing This Character20
手shǒuhand
选手xuǎnshǒuathlete選手
手术shǒushùsurgery手術
对手duìshǒuopponent對手
凶手xiōngshǒumurderer兇手
手段shǒuduànmethod
手机shǒujīcell phone手機
分手fēnshǒuto part company
杀手shāshǒukiller殺手
歌手gēshǒusinger
动手dòngshǒuto hit動手
手指shǒuzhǐfinger
住手to desist
射手archer
双手shuāngshǒuboth hands雙手
高手gāoshǒuexpert
放手to give up
手续shǒuxùprocedure手續
手里shǒulǐin hand手裡
助手zhùshǒuassistant
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 拿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 手
It is pronounced as 'shǒu' with a falling-rising tone.
Yes, 手 can be used in various contexts, but it may carry a more formal connotation when discussing skilled work.
Common phrases include '手工' (handmade) and '洗手' (wash hands), which are frequently used in daily conversation.
