Meanings of 牽
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About 牽
Podcast: 牽
Podcast: 牽
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AI Study Notes for 牽
牵 (qiān) vs 拉 (lā) — use 牵 when emphasizing guiding or accompanying someone, while 拉 focuses more on the act of pulling without the same connotation of support.
Be mindful of the context in which you use 牽, as it can imply a gentle, guiding action rather than forceful pulling. It is used in both formal and informal situations, often in phrases like 牽手 (qiān shǒu) meaning 'to hold hands'. Avoid confusing it with similar verbs like 拉 (lā), which means 'to pull' more forcefully.
While 牽 is not in the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other verbs related to movement and assistance, like 带 (dài, to take or bring). Focus on understanding how 牽 interacts with people and situations, emphasizing its connotation of care.
Learners often confuse 牽 with 拉 (lā), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 牽他 (qiān tā, meaning 'pull him') instead of 拉他 (lā tā) can imply a gentler action than intended.
Pronunciation of 牽
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Etymology of 牽
A person pulling 冖 an ox 牛 by a rope 玄
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 牽
- 1The giveawayA person pulling 冖 an ox 牛 by a rope 玄
- 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 牽? 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
What type of character formation is 牽?
Decomposition of 牽
Identify the Components
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How to say to drag, to pull, to lead by the hand in Chinese
“to drag, to pull, to lead by the hand” in Chinese is牽
The character 牽 (qiān) means to drag, pull, or lead someone by the hand. It is commonly used in contexts involving guiding or accompanying someone, such as a parent leading a child or helping someone navigate a situation. It conveys a sense of support and direction.
When to use 牽
Be mindful of the context in which you use 牽, as it can imply a gentle, guiding action rather than forceful pulling. It is used in both formal and informal situations, often in phrases like 牽手 (qiān shǒu) meaning 'to hold hands'. Avoid confusing it with similar verbs like 拉 (lā), which means 'to pull' more forcefully.
牽 or something close to it
牵 (qiān) vs 拉 (lā) — use 牵 when emphasizing guiding or accompanying someone, while 拉 focuses more on the act of pulling without the same connotation of support.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 牽 with 拉 (lā), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 牽他 (qiān tā, meaning 'pull him') instead of 拉他 (lā tā) can imply a gentler action than intended.
Write 牽
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Practice writing 牽 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 牽
Compound Meaning
What does 牵 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 牽
Common phrases include 牽手 (qiān shǒu, to hold hands) and 牽牛 (qiān niú, to lead an ox), which reflects agricultural practices.
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