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March 24, 2026
拿(㧱)ná(na2)
The character 拿 (ná) means 'to take' or 'to grasp'. It is commonly used in contexts where one is holding, seizing, or bringing something. This verb is also used in structures similar to 把 (bǎ), indicating an action performed on a direct object.
Strokes10Radical手Frequency#133DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the act of 'taking' or 'grasping' can symbolize seizing opportunities, reflecting the mindset that one must act decisively in various aspects of life, from business to personal relationships.
Memory tip
Imagine a person 'na' (sounds like 'nah') who is determined to 'take' a large, heavy bag. The character 拿 visually resembles a hand (the left side) grasping something (the right side), reinforcing the action of holding or taking.
Meanings of 拿
ná(na2)
1to bring, to grasp, to hold, to take
2to seize
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 拿
拿Simplified
㧱Traditional
10Strokes
手Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#133Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 拿
Podcast: 拿
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AI study notes for 拿
Quick Contrast
拿 (ná) vs 取 (qǔ): Use 拿 when emphasizing the act of holding or grasping something, while 取 focuses more on the act of obtaining or fetching.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 拿 with other similar verbs like 取 (qǔ) which means 'to fetch'. It is more commonly used in informal contexts, so while it can be used in daily conversations, it may not be appropriate in very formal writing. Remember to practice its use with a direct object following it, especially in the 把 construction.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 拿 relates to other action verbs at this level like 走 (zǒu, to walk) and 听 (tīng, to listen). Students should focus on its application in sentences and practice using it with various objects to develop fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 拿 instead of 取 (qǔ) when referring to fetching something from a distance, like '我去拿水' (Wǒ qù ná shuǐ) instead of '我去取水' (Wǒ qù qǔ shuǐ). Remember that 拿 emphasizes holding or seizing directly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拿
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拿 = 手 + 合. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 拿
IDS Structure⿱合手
拿Full character
=
合ge3
top
手shou3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 拿?
How to say to bring, to grasp, to hold, to take in Chinese
“to bring, to grasp, to hold, to take” in Chinese is拿ná
The character 拿 (ná) means 'to take' or 'to grasp'. It is commonly used in contexts where one is holding, seizing, or bringing something. This verb is also used in structures similar to 把 (bǎ), indicating an action performed on a direct object.
When to use 拿
Be careful not to confuse 拿 with other similar verbs like 取 (qǔ) which means 'to fetch'. It is more commonly used in informal contexts, so while it can be used in daily conversations, it may not be appropriate in very formal writing. Remember to practice its use with a direct object following it, especially in the 把 construction.
拿 or something close to it
拿 (ná) vs 取 (qǔ): Use 拿 when emphasizing the act of holding or grasping something, while 取 focuses more on the act of obtaining or fetching.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 拿 instead of 取 (qǔ) when referring to fetching something from a distance, like '我去拿水' (Wǒ qù ná shuǐ) instead of '我去取水' (Wǒ qù qǔ shuǐ). Remember that 拿 emphasizes holding or seizing directly.
Write 拿
拿
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Grammar patterns of 拿
拿 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. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
I answered the phone and this voice went, "Hello? Is that Alison?"
13
我拿起了电话，她知趣地进了客厅。
wǒ ná qǐ le diànhuà， tā zhī qù dì jìn le kètīng。
I took the phone, and she went discreetly into the living room.
14
科学家们越来越拿不准这一技术是否是正当合法的。
kēxué jiā men yuèláiyuè ná bùzhǔn zhè yī jìshù shìfǒu shì zhèngdàng héfǎ de。
Scientists are becoming increasingly unsure of the validity of this technique.
15
我去拿我的雨伞，因为外面下雨了。
Wǒ qù ná wǒ de yǔsǎn, yīnwèi wàimiàn xiàyǔ le.
I went to get my umbrella because it's raining outside.
16
小心拿杯子，里面有热水。
Xiǎoxīn ná bēizi, lǐmiàn yǒu rèshuǐ.
Be careful when holding the cup, it has hot water inside.
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Cultural Notes for 拿
💡Did you know?
The character 拿 (ná) is related to the action of using one's hands. In Chinese culture, hands are often symbolic of action and capability. This character reflects the importance of direct action in communication.
Word Family of 拿
Compounds3
镎náneptunium
嗱ná
鎿ná
Words containing this character20
拿náto hold
拿出náchūto take out
加拿大jiānádàCanada
拿走názǒuto take away
拿起náqǐto pick up
拿来náláito bring拿來
拿手náshǒuexpert in
拿破仑nápòlúnNapoleon (name)拿破崙
拿下náxiàto arrest
巴拿马bānámǎPanama巴拿馬
桑拿sāngnásauna (loanword)
推拿tuīnátui na (form of Chinese manual therapy)
缉拿jīnáto arrest緝拿
捉拿zhuōnáto arrest
拿人nárénmaking things awkward
蒙大拿méngdànáMontana, US state
拿大nádàto put on airs
捉拿归案zhuōnáguī’ànto bring to justice捉拿歸案
十拿九稳shínájiǔwěnto be a cinch十拿九穩
蒙大拿州méngdànázhōuMontana, US state
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 拿
What does 镎 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 拿
拿 (ná) is a verb meaning 'to take,' while 把 (bǎ) is a particle used to indicate that the object is affected by the action. They can be used together in sentences to convey the action of taking an object while emphasizing the object itself.
To use 拿 (ná) in a sentence, you can follow the structure similar to that of 把 (bǎ). For example, in the sentence '我拿书' (Wǒ ná shū), it means 'I take the book.' This shows the action of taking and indicates the object directly.
拿 (ná) means 'to take' or 'to seize' in Chinese. It can also imply catching or apprehending something. In some contexts, it is used similarly to the particle 把 (bǎ), which marks the following noun as a direct object.
You can use it like this: '我拿书' (Wǒ ná shū) meaning 'I take the book'.
No, 拿 is generally used in informal contexts. For formal writing, other verbs may be more appropriate.
Yes, 拿 can be used with most nouns, but it is important to ensure the noun makes sense in the context of taking or grasping.
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