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March 24, 2026
着手(著手)zhuóshǒu(zhuo2shou3)
着手 (zhuó shǒu) means to begin or set about doing something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is starting a task or project, signifying the initiation of action. This term emphasizes the act of putting effort into a task rather than merely planning or thinking about it.
Frequency#5891DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '着手' is closely tied to the value placed on diligence and hard work, particularly in professional settings. Initiating a task is often seen as a sign of commitment and responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a big, heavy task in front of them, and they are rolling up their sleeves to put their hands to work. The character '着' looks like a person attached to something, and '手' means hand, together reminding you of 'putting your hands to it' as you start a task.
Meanings of 着手
zhuóshǒu(zhuo2shou3)
1to put one's hand to it
2to start out on a task
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 着手
着手Simplified
著手Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5891Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 着手
Podcast: 着手
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AI Study Notes for 着手
Quick Contrast
着手 (begin) vs 开始 (start) — use 着手 when emphasizing the initiation of a task with effort.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person with a big, heavy task in front of them, and they are rolling up their sleeves to put their hands to work. The character '着' looks like a person attached to something, and '手' means hand, together reminding you of 'putting your hands to it' as you start a task.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 着手 with 进行 (jìnxíng), which means to carry out something already in progress. 着手 is more about the initiation phase. This term is generally more formal, so it's suitable for both written and spoken contexts when discussing work or projects.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 着手 is connected to other advanced vocabulary related to work and progress. Students should focus on its usage in formal contexts and practice sentences that involve project initiation or starting tasks.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '着手' is closely tied to the value placed on diligence and hard work, particularly in professional settings. Initiating a task is often seen as a sign of commitment and responsibility.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 着手 in casual situations where 开始 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我着手吃饭' (I start to eat) is incorrect; it should be '我开始吃饭'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 着手
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Grammar Patterns of 着手
着手 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
一位推____推车的侍者紧随着他过来。
In his wake came a waiter wheeling a trolley.
Example Sentences for 着手 (10)
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1
一位推着手推车的侍者紧随着他过来。
yī wèi tuī zháo shǒu tuī chē de shì zhě jǐn suí zháo tā guò lái。
In his wake came a waiter wheeling a trolley.
2
那名男子打着手电筒，慢慢地朝她走过去。
nà míng nán zǐ dǎ zháo shǒu diàn tǒng， ， màn màn dì zhāo tā zǒu guò。
The man walked slowly towards her, shining the flashlight.
3
他用那只戴着手套的手拿起一张光盘。
tā yòng nà zhī dài zháo shǒu tào de shǒu ná qǐ yī zhāng guāng pán。
Successfully merging two banks requires a fast and ruthless attack on costs.
6
我们站成一圈，手牵着手。
wǒ mén zhàn chéng yī quān， ， shǒu qiān zháo。
We stood in a circle holding hands.
7
他推着手推车沿街卖鱼.
tā tuī zháo shǒu tuī chē yán jiē mài yú.
He peddled fish from a pushcart.
8
他戴着手铐被带了过来，交到了我手里。
tā dài zháo shǒu kào bèi dài le guò lái， ， jiāo dào le wǒ shǒu。
He was led in in handcuffs and delivered over to me.
9
冬天，她穿着厚袜子和橡胶雨靴，戴着手套。
dōng tiān， ， tā chuān zháo hòu wà zǐ hé xiàng jiāo yǔ， xuē ， dài zháo。
In the winter she wears thick socks, Wellington boots and gloves.
10
他戴着手铐被送进了监狱。
tā dài zháo shǒu kào bèi sòng jìn le jiān yù。
He was led away to jail in handcuffs.
Cultural Notes for 着手
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of '着手' is closely tied to the value placed on diligence and hard work, particularly in professional settings. Initiating a task is often seen as a sign of commitment and responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions about 着手
Yes, 着手 can be used for both personal and professional contexts, but it is more commonly found in formal or work-related situations.
Not exactly; while both mean to start, 着手 implies a more active engagement in the task, whereas 开始 is more general.
我已经着手准备明天的会议。 (I have already started preparing for tomorrow's meeting.)
