Meanings of 擒
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About 擒
Podcast: 擒
Podcast: 擒
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AI Study Notes for 擒
捉 (zhuō) - use 擒 when emphasizing a decisive or forceful capture, while 捉 is more general for catching or grabbing.
A common mistake is using 擒 (qín) in non-violent contexts when it may imply aggression. It's more formal than informal terms for capture and is often used in legal or military language. Be cautious with tone; using the wrong tone can completely change the meaning.
While 擒 (qín) is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can help with advanced vocabulary related to law and security. Students should focus on its usage in sentences to grasp context and nuance.
Learners often confuse 擒 (qín) with 抓 (zhuā) which means to grab or catch in a more general sense. For example, saying '我擒了一个球' (I captured a ball) could sound odd; it's better to say '我抓了一个球' (I caught a ball).
Pronunciation of 擒
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Etymology of 擒
To catch 禽 by hand 扌; 禽 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 擒
- 1The giveawayTo catch 禽 by hand 扌; 禽 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 擒? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 擒
Identify the Components
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How to say to arrest, to capture, to seize in Chinese
“to arrest, to capture, to seize” in Chinese is擒
The character 擒 (qín) means to arrest, capture, or seize something or someone. It is commonly used in contexts related to law enforcement or military actions, often implying a forceful or decisive action in obtaining control over a person or object.
When to use 擒
A common mistake is using 擒 (qín) in non-violent contexts when it may imply aggression. It's more formal than informal terms for capture and is often used in legal or military language. Be cautious with tone; using the wrong tone can completely change the meaning.
擒 or something close to it
捉 (zhuō) - use 擒 when emphasizing a decisive or forceful capture, while 捉 is more general for catching or grabbing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 擒 (qín) with 抓 (zhuā) which means to grab or catch in a more general sense. For example, saying '我擒了一个球' (I captured a ball) could sound odd; it's better to say '我抓了一个球' (I caught a ball).
Write 擒
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Practice writing 擒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 擒
擒 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他的士兵袭击了瓜扎坦，____获了一名俘虏。
His men made a sortie to Guazatan and took a prisoner.
Example Sentences for 擒 (3)
Word Family of 擒
Compound Meaning
What does 擒 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 擒
Synonyms include 捕 (bǔ, to catch) and 捉 (zhuō, to seize). Each has slightly different connotations.
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