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March 24, 2026
入手()rùshǒu(ru4shou3)
The term 入手 (rù shǒu) means 'to begin' or 'to set one's hand to' something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone starts a task or engages in an activity, suggesting the initiation of an effort or process.
Frequency#11160DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, starting a new venture or project often signifies auspicious beginnings, reflecting the value placed on diligence and hard work. The phrase can be used in both professional and personal contexts.
Memory Tip
Imagine you are about to start a project. You '入' (enter) a room and '手' (hand) over the first tool to begin. Visualizing this action connects the characters to the meaning of starting something.
Meanings of 入手
rùshǒu(ru4shou3)
1to begin
2to set one's hand to
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About 入手
入手Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 入手
Podcast: 入手
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AI Study Notes for 入手
Quick Contrast
开始 (kāishǐ) - use 入手 when emphasizing the physical act of starting a task, while 开始 is more general for initiating any action.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine you are about to start a project. You '入' (enter) a room and '手' (hand) over the first tool to begin. Visualizing this action connects the characters to the meaning of starting something.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is using 入手 in overly formal contexts where simpler phrases like 开始 (kāi shǐ) might be more appropriate. Be mindful of using this term in a casual conversation or while describing a new task.
HSK Study Tips
While 入手 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it relates to common action verbs in lower levels. Focus on recognizing it in the context of initiating actions, which is a recurring theme in HSK vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, starting a new venture or project often signifies auspicious beginnings, reflecting the value placed on diligence and hard work. The phrase can be used in both professional and personal contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 入手 in contexts where it doesn't fit, like saying '我入手了工作' (wǒ rù shǒu le gōng zuò) which should be '我开始工作' (wǒ kāi shǐ gōng zuò) meaning 'I started working'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 入手
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Cultural Notes for 入手
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, starting a new venture or project often signifies auspicious beginnings, reflecting the value placed on diligence and hard work. The phrase can be used in both professional and personal contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions about 入手
Yes, but it is more commonly used in informal settings.
A similar phrase is 开始 (kāi shǐ), which means 'to start'.
No, 入手 can also refer to starting any kind of project, not just physical tasks.
