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匊 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
匊júhandfulx, 8 strokes, radical 勹
匊júreceive with both handsunknown, 8 strokes, radical 勹
匊jūhandfulx, 8 strokes, radical 勹
匊jūreceive with both handsunknown, 8 strokes, radical 勹
jū(ju1)ju
primary
T1
  1. 1handful
  2. 2receive with both hands
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March 24, 2026

匊jū(ju1)

The character 匊 (jū) refers to the act of receiving something with both hands, often connoting care and respect. It can also denote a handful, implying the idea of grasping or holding something carefully. This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in literary or classical contexts.

Strokes8Radical勹
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, receiving items with both hands is a sign of respect, especially when accepting gifts or offerings. This practice reflects the importance of politeness and gratitude in social interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine two hands cupping a precious object, symbolizing both care and the act of receiving. The character 匊 looks like two hands (丷) coming together, emphasizing the importance of using both hands for a respectful gesture.

Meanings of 匊

jū(ju1)
primary
1handful
2receive with both hands
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 匊

匊Simplified
8Strokes
勹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 匊

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Podcast: 匊

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AI Study Notes for 匊

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone and pronunciation, as a mispronunciation might confuse it with other similar-sounding words. The character is more formal and may not be frequently used in everyday conversations, so it's best suited for literary or historical discussions.

HSK Study Tips

Although this character is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enrich your grasp of classical texts. Focus on recognizing its form and context, as well as how it relates to similar characters involving hands or actions.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 匊 with more commonly used characters for receiving or holding. For example, using 拿 (ná) instead of 匊 when discussing receiving something in a casual context is incorrect; use 匊 in literary contexts instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 匊

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Etymology of 匊

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A handful of rice 米 in a bowl 勹

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 匊?

Decomposition of 匊

IDS Structure⿹勹米
匊Full Character
=
勹bao1
enclosing
米Mi3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 匊?

How to say handful in Chinese

“handful” in Chinese is匊jú

The character 匊 (jū) refers to the act of receiving something with both hands, often connoting care and respect. It can also denote a handful, implying the idea of grasping or holding something carefully. This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in literary or classical contexts.

When to use 匊

Be cautious with the tone and pronunciation, as a mispronunciation might confuse it with other similar-sounding words. The character is more formal and may not be frequently used in everyday conversations, so it's best suited for literary or historical discussions.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 匊 with more commonly used characters for receiving or holding. For example, using 拿 (ná) instead of 匊 when discussing receiving something in a casual context is incorrect; use 匊 in literary contexts instead.

Write 匊

匊

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 匊

No, it's rare and mostly found in classical literature.

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