Meanings of 娶
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About 娶
Podcast: 娶
Podcast: 娶
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AI Study Notes for 娶
嫁 (jià) — use 娶 (qǔ) when referring to a man marrying a woman, while 嫁 (jià) focuses on a woman getting married or being married off.
While '娶' is a straightforward term for marrying a woman, it is often used in a formal or traditional context. Learners should be careful not to confuse it with '嫁' (jià), which has a different perspective. Additionally, '娶' is typically used in discussions about marriage customs, so the register can be formal.
As an HSK Level 5 word, '娶' connects to other vocabulary related to family and relationships, such as '结婚' (jiéhūn - to get married) and '家庭' (jiātíng - family). Students should focus on using it in sentences about marriage or family structure to reinforce its meaning.
Learners often mistakenly use '嫁' when referring to a man marrying a woman, saying '他嫁了一个女人' (tā jiàle yīgè nǚrén - he married a woman), which is incorrect. The correct usage would be '他娶了一个女人' (tā qǔle yīgè nǚrén).
Pronunciation of 娶
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Etymology of 娶
To take 取 a wife 女; 取 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 娶
- 1The giveawayTo take 取 a wife 女; 取 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 娶? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 娶
Identify the Components
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How to say to take a wife in Chinese
“to take a wife” in Chinese is娶
娶 (qǔ) means 'to take a wife' or 'to marry a woman.' This verb is commonly used in the context of traditional marriage practices in Chinese culture, especially referring to a man marrying a woman. It is often contrasted with '嫁' (jià), which means 'to marry off a daughter' or 'to get married' from the woman's perspective.
When to use 娶
While '娶' is a straightforward term for marrying a woman, it is often used in a formal or traditional context. Learners should be careful not to confuse it with '嫁' (jià), which has a different perspective. Additionally, '娶' is typically used in discussions about marriage customs, so the register can be formal.
娶 or something close to it
嫁 (jià) — use 娶 (qǔ) when referring to a man marrying a woman, while 嫁 (jià) focuses on a woman getting married or being married off.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use '嫁' when referring to a man marrying a woman, saying '他嫁了一个女人' (tā jiàle yīgè nǚrén - he married a woman), which is incorrect. The correct usage would be '他娶了一个女人' (tā qǔle yīgè nǚrén).
Write 娶
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Practice writing 娶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 娶
娶 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 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
我误认为他要____我。
I was under the delusion that he intended to marry me.
Common Confusions with 娶
Similar pronunciation and meaning related to taking.
Similar shape but different meaning and sound.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to take a wife"?
Usage Notes for 娶
娶 is a transitive verb and requires an object, typically referring to a woman.
他娶了一个贤妻。
He married a virtuous wife.
Fill in the Blank
他____了一个贤妻。
He married a virtuous wife.
Example Sentences for 娶 (10)
Reorder the Sentence
I was under the delusion that he intended to marry me.
Cultural Notes for 娶
In Western cultures, marriage is often seen as a partnership between equals, whereas in traditional Chinese culture, it can also reflect familial obligations and social status, making the act of '娶' more complex in its implications.
Word Family of 娶
Compound Meaning
What does 娶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 娶
'娶' specifically refers to a man marrying a woman; women use '嫁' to describe their act of getting married.
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