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擒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
qínto arrest, to capture, to seizev, 15 strokes, radical 扌, rank #13262, Hard
qín(qin2) T2
  1. 1to arrest, to capture, to seize
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March 24, 2026
qín(qin2)

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.

Strokes15RadicalFrequency#13262DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese martial arts, the term 擒 is often associated with techniques for capturing an opponent, reflecting the importance of control and skill in combat. This highlights a cultural appreciation for martial prowess and strategy.

Memory Tip

Think of 擒 (qín) as a strong hand (the left part 扌is a hand radical) gripping tightly to capture something important, like a thief being caught. The pronunciation 'qín' sounds like 'keen', as in a keen sense to seize opportunities.

Meanings of 擒

qín(qin2)
1to arrest, to capture, to seize
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 擒

Simplified
15Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 擒

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AI Study Notes for 擒

Quick Contrast

捉 (zhuō) - use 擒 when emphasizing a decisive or forceful capture, while 捉 is more general for catching or grabbing.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 擒 (qín) as a strong hand (the left part 扌is a hand radical) gripping tightly to capture something important, like a thief being caught. The pronunciation 'qín' sounds like 'keen', as in a keen sense to seize opportunities.

Usage Notes

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.

HSK Study Tips

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.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese martial arts, the term 擒 is often associated with techniques for capturing an opponent, reflecting the importance of control and skill in combat. This highlights a cultural appreciation for martial prowess and strategy.

Common Mistakes

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).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 擒

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Etymology of 擒

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

To catch 禽 by hand 扌; 禽 also provides the pronunciation

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 擒?

Decomposition of 擒

IDS Structure⿰扌禽
Full Character
=
shou3
left
qin2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 擒?

Write 擒

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

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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.

Exercise 1 of 4

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)

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1
他的士兵袭击了瓜扎坦,擒获了一名俘虏。

tā de shì bīng xí jī le guā zā tǎn, , qín huò le yī míng fú。

His men made a sortie to Guazatan and took a prisoner.
2
那个高大的后卫擒抱阻拦得很凶.

nà gè gāo dà de hòu wèi qín bào zǔ lán dé hěn xiōng.

That big fullback tackles hard.
3
擒贼先擒王.

qín zéi xiān qín wáng.

To catch bandits , first catch the ringleader.

Cultural Notes for 擒

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese martial arts, the term 擒 is often associated with techniques for capturing an opponent, reflecting the importance of control and skill in combat. This highlights a cultural appreciation for martial prowess and strategy.

Word Family of 擒

Words Containing This Character8
qínto capture
擒获to apprehend擒獲
束手就擒hands tied and waiting to be captured
欲擒故纵In order to capture, one must let loose.欲擒故縱
生擒to capture alive
手到擒来stretch a hand and grab it (idiom); very easy手到擒來
就擒to be taken prisoner
擒贼擒王to defeat the enemy by capturing their chief (idiom)擒賊擒王
Exercise 1 of 4

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.