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掬 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
掬jūto grasp or hold with both handsv, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #71101, Very Hard
掬jūto hold with both handsunknown, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #71101, Very Hard
掬jūto grasp firmlyunknown, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #71101, Very Hard
掬jūfig. to offer up sincerelyunknown, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #71101, Very Hard
jū(ju1)ju T1
  1. 1to grasp or hold with both hands
  2. 2to hold with both hands
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March 24, 2026

掬jū(ju1)

The character 掬 (jū) means to grasp or hold something with both hands. It is often used in contexts that involve presenting something sincerely or offering it up, such as handing over a gift or showing care and affection. The nuance suggests a gentle but firm action, emphasizing the act of holding something precious or valuable.

Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#71101DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the act of offering something with both hands is a sign of respect and sincerity, often seen during gift-giving or ceremonial occasions. This reflects the importance placed on interpersonal relationships and the value of presenting oneself humbly.

Memory tip

Imagine two hands coming together to cup a delicate flower, representing the action of grasping with both hands. The character 掬 can be broken down; the radical 扌 (hand) symbolizes the action of using hands, while the rest of the character suggests the gentleness needed in this action, making it easier to remember its meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 掬

jū(ju1)
1to grasp or hold with both hands
2to hold with both hands
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 掬

掬Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 掬

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AI study notes for 掬

Quick Contrast

捧 (pěng) vs 掬 (jū): use 掬 when emphasizing the act of presenting something with both hands, while 捧 focuses more on the act of holding something up or supporting it.

Usage Notes

Learners should note that this verb is less commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for formal contexts or literary expressions. Common collocations include 掬水 (grasp water) or 掬心 (offer one's heart). Be careful with pronunciation, ensuring the correct tone to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

While 掬 is not part of the official HSK levels, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to actions involving hands and offering gestures. Students should focus on the context of usage to understand the emotional weight behind the action represented by this verb.

Common Mistakes

A frequent mistake is using 掬 in casual contexts where simpler verbs like 拿 (ná, to take) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我想要掬这个杯子' (I want to grasp this cup) sounds overly formal; instead, use '我想拿这个杯子'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 掬

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Etymology of 掬

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

To take 扌a handful 匊; 匊 also provides the pronunciation

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

Origin

What kind of character is 掬?

Decomposition of 掬

IDS Structure⿰扌匊
掬Full character
=
扌shou3
left
匊ju1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 掬?

How to say to grasp or hold with both hands in Chinese

“to grasp or hold with both hands” in Chinese is掬jū

The character 掬 (jū) means to grasp or hold something with both hands. It is often used in contexts that involve presenting something sincerely or offering it up, such as handing over a gift or showing care and affection. The nuance suggests a gentle but firm action, emphasizing the act of holding something precious or valuable.

When to use 掬

Learners should note that this verb is less commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for formal contexts or literary expressions. Common collocations include 掬水 (grasp water) or 掬心 (offer one's heart). Be careful with pronunciation, ensuring the correct tone to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

掬 or something close to it

捧 (pěng) vs 掬 (jū): use 掬 when emphasizing the act of presenting something with both hands, while 捧 focuses more on the act of holding something up or supporting it.

What learners get wrong

A frequent mistake is using 掬 in casual contexts where simpler verbs like 拿 (ná, to take) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我想要掬这个杯子' (I want to grasp this cup) sounds overly formal; instead, use '我想拿这个杯子'.

Write 掬

掬

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

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Cultural Notes for 掬

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, offering something with both hands is not as common and may not carry the same cultural significance, where a simple gesture may suffice.

Word Family of 掬

Words containing this character3
笑容可掬smiling wholeheartedly (idiom); beaming from ear to ear
掬jūTaiwan pr. [jú]
憨态可掬cute憨態可掬
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 掬

What does 笑容可掬 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 掬

No, 掬 is more formal and often found in literary contexts or specific expressions.

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