Meanings of 握手
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Podcast: 握手
Podcast: 握手
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AI study notes for 握手
握拳 (wò quán) vs 握手 (wò shǒu): choose 握手 for the gesture of shaking hands, while 握拳 refers to making a fist, which conveys a different meaning.
Be cautious of the tone; '握' is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone) and '手' with a rising tone (3rd tone). In informal contexts, people may just nod or wave instead of shaking hands, but in formal settings, a handshake is expected.
As an HSK Level 5 word, students should focus on its usage in various contexts, such as business or social situations. Connecting it with other greeting-related vocabulary will enhance comprehension and fluency.
Learners often confuse the tones, saying 'wō shǒu' instead of 'wò shǒu'. Another common mistake is not using a handshake at all in formal contexts, which can be seen as disrespectful.
Pronunciation of 握手
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component characters
How to say to shake hands in Chinese
“to shake hands” in Chinese is握手
握手 (wò shǒu) means 'to shake hands', a common greeting gesture that signifies agreement or goodwill between people. It is often used in formal situations, business meetings, and when meeting someone for the first time to establish rapport.
When to use 握手
Be cautious of the tone; '握' is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone) and '手' with a rising tone (3rd tone). In informal contexts, people may just nod or wave instead of shaking hands, but in formal settings, a handshake is expected.
握手 or something close to it
握拳 (wò quán) vs 握手 (wò shǒu): choose 握手 for the gesture of shaking hands, while 握拳 refers to making a fist, which conveys a different meaning.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse the tones, saying 'wō shǒu' instead of 'wò shǒu'. Another common mistake is not using a handshake at all in formal contexts, which can be seen as disrespectful.
Write 握手
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Practice writing 握手 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 握手
握手 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他们的____似乎是和解的表示。
Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.
Example sentences for 握手 (10)
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Frequently asked questions about 握手
Use 握手 during formal greetings, especially in business settings or when meeting someone for the first time.
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