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搦 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
搦nuòto grasp, to seize; to challenge, to provokeg, 13 strokes, radical 扌
搦nuò(literary) to hold (in the hand)unknown, 13 strokes, radical 扌
nuò(nuo4) T4
  1. 1to grasp, to seize; to challenge, to provoke
  2. 2(literary) to hold (in the hand)
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March 24, 2026

搦nuò(nuo4)

The character 搦 (nuò) primarily means 'to grasp or seize,' often used in contexts where something is physically held or taken. Additionally, it can imply challenging or provoking someone, making it a versatile term in both literal and figurative language. Its usage tends to be more literary, so it may not be common in everyday conversation.

Strokes13Radical扌
Cultural Note

In classical Chinese literature, the act of gripping or seizing can symbolize determination and courage, often appearing in poetry to depict a character's resolve in adversity. This reflects the cultural value placed on strength and willpower.

Memory Tip

Imagine a hand (the radical 扌) grasping a rope (represented by the character's other components) tightly – this rope symbolizes a challenge that you are prepared to seize. The sound 'nuò' can be remembered by thinking of 'no' as a challenge, like saying 'no' to an opponent.

Meanings of 搦

nuò(nuo4)
1to grasp, to seize; to challenge, to provoke
2(literary) to hold (in the hand)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 搦

搦Simplified
13Strokes
扌Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 搦

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Podcast: 搦

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AI Study Notes for 搦

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 搦 with similar characters like 抓 (zhuā) which means 'to catch' or 'to grab.' It is more formal and literary, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 搦手 (grasp the hand) and 搦战 (challenge to battle).

HSK Study Tips

Although not part of the HSK curriculum, 搦 can be linked to higher-level vocabulary related to physical actions and challenges. Focus on understanding its literary context and usage in written texts to enhance comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners might incorrectly use 搦 as a direct synonym for 抓 (zhuā) without considering the nuances; for example, saying 搦猫 (nuò māo) instead of 抓猫 (zhuā māo) when meaning 'to catch a cat.' Always check the context to ensure proper usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 搦

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Etymology of 搦

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

hand

Semantic (meaning)扌
+
Phonetic (sound)弱
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 搦

  1. 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half弱 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayhand
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 搦? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 搦?

Decomposition of 搦

IDS Structure⿰扌弱
搦Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
弱ruo4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 搦?

How to say to grasp, to seize; to challenge, to provoke in Chinese

“to grasp, to seize; to challenge, to provoke” in Chinese is搦nuò

The character 搦 (nuò) primarily means 'to grasp or seize,' often used in contexts where something is physically held or taken. Additionally, it can imply challenging or provoking someone, making it a versatile term in both literal and figurative language. Its usage tends to be more literary, so it may not be common in everyday conversation.

When to use 搦

Learners often confuse 搦 with similar characters like 抓 (zhuā) which means 'to catch' or 'to grab.' It is more formal and literary, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 搦手 (grasp the hand) and 搦战 (challenge to battle).

What learners get wrong

Learners might incorrectly use 搦 as a direct synonym for 抓 (zhuā) without considering the nuances; for example, saying 搦猫 (nuò māo) instead of 抓猫 (zhuā māo) when meaning 'to catch a cat.' Always check the context to ensure proper usage.

Write 搦

搦

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 搦

Words Containing This Character2
搦战to challenge to battle搦戰
搦nuòto challenge
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 搦战 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 搦

You can say 搦住了他的手 (nuò zhù le tā de shǒu), meaning 'I grasped his hand.'

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