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March 24, 2026
握wò(wo4)
The character 握 (wò) means 'to hold' or 'to grasp,' and is commonly used in contexts involving physical holding, such as holding hands or holding an object tightly. It can also imply mastery over a skill or concept. The nuance of this character conveys both physical and metaphorical senses of control or possession.
Strokes12Radical扌Frequency#3550DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
握 is often used in Chinese idioms and phrases that emphasize the importance of holding onto relationships, such as 握手 (wò shǒu), meaning 'to shake hands,' which is a common gesture of greeting and respect in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong hand (the radical 手, meaning 'hand') gripping a treasure. The shape of the character 握 visually resembles a hand clenching tightly around something valuable, helping you remember that 'wò' means to hold or grasp something securely.
Meanings of 握
wò(wo4)
1to hold
2to grasp
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 握
握Simplified
12Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3550Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 握
Podcast: 握
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AI Study Notes for 握
Quick Contrast
握 (wò) vs 拿 (ná) — use 握 when emphasizing a firm grip or control, while 拿 is more about the act of taking or holding an object without the same connotation of mastery.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong hand (the radical 手, meaning 'hand') gripping a treasure. The shape of the character 握 visually resembles a hand clenching tightly around something valuable, helping you remember that 'wò' means to hold or grasp something securely.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 握 with other similar characters like 拿 (ná), which also means 'to take' but has a different emphasis. This word is more often used in informal contexts, but can be used in formal settings as well when discussing mastery or control. Remember to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing 'wò' can lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
While 握 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other HSK words involving actions and physical interactions. Focus on practicing its usage in sentences related to holding or mastering skills, which will reinforce your understanding of related verbs.
Cultural Note
握 is often used in Chinese idioms and phrases that emphasize the importance of holding onto relationships, such as 握手 (wò shǒu), meaning 'to shake hands,' which is a common gesture of greeting and respect in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 握 with 拿, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我拿他的手' (Wǒ ná tā de shǒu) instead of '我握住他的手' (Wǒ wò zhù tā de shǒu) misses the nuance of a firm grip.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 握
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Grammar Patterns of 握
握 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 6 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.
Sovereign power will continue to lie with the Supreme People's Assembly.
8
我们聚集在露台上,手里紧张地握着盛有冰镇葡萄酒的酒杯.
wǒ mén jù jí zài lòu tái shàng, , shǒu lǐ jǐn zhāng dì wò zháo shèng yǒu bīng zhèn pú táo jiǔ de jiǔ.
Nervously clutching our glasses of chilled wine, we gathered on the terrace.
9
她像个男人似的握了手，坚实而又有力。
tā xiàng gè nán rén sì de wò le shǒu， ， jiān shí ér yòu yǒu。
She shook hands in a mannish way, her grip dry and firm.
10
迄今为止，我们掌握的能够指证两个嫌疑犯的证据少得可怜。
qì jīn wéi zhǐ， ， wǒ mén zhǎng wò de néng gòu zhǐ zhèng liǎng gè xián yí fàn de zhèng jù shǎo dé kě。
So far, what scanty evidence we have points to two suspects.
Cultural Notes for 握
🏮Cultural insight
握 is often used in Chinese idioms and phrases that emphasize the importance of holding onto relationships, such as 握手 (wò shǒu), meaning 'to shake hands,' which is a common gesture of greeting and respect in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 握
Words Containing This Character13
掌握zhǎngwòto control
把握bǎwòto seize
握wòto hold
握手wòshǒuto shake hands
握住to grip
紧握to hold firmly, not let go緊握
在握to be within grasp
握有to grasp and own
握拳to make a fist
握力(strength of one's) grip
大权在握to be in a position of power大權在握
握别to shake hands握別
智珠在握lit. to hold the pearl of wisdom (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 掌握 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 握
Yes, 握 (wò) is often found in idiomatic expressions in Chinese that convey control or mastery, such as '握有权力' (wò yǒu quánlì), meaning 'to hold power.' This reflects both the physical sense of holding and the metaphorical sense of having control over something.
握 (wò) generally refers to holding or grasping something firmly, while 抓 (zhuā) implies a more active action of grabbing or seizing something quickly. The nuances between these two can change based on the context, so it's important to understand how each verb is used in sentences.
握 (wò) means to hold, grasp, or clench, often used in contexts where one physically holds something or metaphorically masters a skill. It can also refer to a handful as a classifier. Understanding its usage is essential for expressing actions related to holding or controlling something.
To use 握 (wò) in a sentence, you can say, '我握着她的手' (Wǒ wòzhe tā de shǒu), meaning 'I am holding her hand.' This shows the physical action of holding. You can also use it in phrases like '握住机会' (wò zhù jīhuì), which means 'to seize the opportunity.'
You can use 握 in sentences like '我握住他的手' (Wǒ wò zhù tā de shǒu) which means 'I hold his hand.'
Yes, 握 emphasizes a firm grasp, often implying strength or control, while 拿 is more general and can mean to take or hold without the same emphasis on grip.
Absolutely! You can use 握 to describe mastering a skill, such as '我握住了这门语言' (Wǒ wò zhùle zhè mén yǔyán), meaning 'I have mastered this language.'
