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March 24, 2026
捉zhuō(zhuo1)
The verb '捉' (zhuō) means to clutch, grab, or capture something. It is commonly used in contexts involving physically seizing an object or catching someone or something, such as in games or hunting. The nuance often implies a sense of urgency or a deliberate action in the grasping process.
Strokes10Radical扌Frequency#3695DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '捉' often appears in traditional games, such as '捉迷藏' (hide-and-seek), where children practice the act of capturing others in play. This reflects a playful aspect of social interaction.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to catch a butterfly with a net. The action of reaching out to '捉' (zhuō) the butterfly connects with the character: the hand (左, meaning 'left') reaches out, depicting the act of grabbing. The pronunciation 'zhuō' can be remembered by thinking of 'Joshua' trying to catch something.
Meanings of 捉
zhuō(zhuo1)
1to clutch
2to grab
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 捉 means.
About 捉
捉Simplified
10Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3695Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 捉
Podcast: 捉
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AI Study Notes for 捉
Quick Contrast
抓 (zhuā) is often used for 'to catch' in a more general sense, while 捉 (zhuō) implies a more deliberate action of grabbing or seizing.
Usage Notes
'捉' is typically used in informal settings, but can also appear in literature and storytelling. A common mistake is confusing it with '抓' (zhuā), which also means to grab but is more about holding tightly rather than capturing. Pay attention to tonal pronunciation to avoid confusion with 'zhuō' and 'zhuā'.
HSK Study Tips
Although '捉' is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners familiar with HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on its usage in phrases like '捉住' (to catch) and '捉虫' (to catch insects), linking it to other action verbs.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '捉' with '抓', leading to sentences like '我抓到了一只鸟' (Wǒ zhuā dào le yī zhī niǎo) when they want to say 'I caught a bird.' The correct verb here should be '捉': '我捉到了一只鸟'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 捉
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Etymology of 捉
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 足 represents the sound.
捉 = 扌 + 足. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 捉
IDS Structure⿰扌足
捉Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
足ju4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 捉?
How to say to clutch in Chinese
“to clutch” in Chinese is捉zhuō
The verb '捉' (zhuō) means to clutch, grab, or capture something. It is commonly used in contexts involving physically seizing an object or catching someone or something, such as in games or hunting. The nuance often implies a sense of urgency or a deliberate action in the grasping process.
When to use 捉
'捉' is typically used in informal settings, but can also appear in literature and storytelling. A common mistake is confusing it with '抓' (zhuā), which also means to grab but is more about holding tightly rather than capturing. Pay attention to tonal pronunciation to avoid confusion with 'zhuō' and 'zhuā'.
捉 or something close to it
抓 (zhuā) is often used for 'to catch' in a more general sense, while 捉 (zhuō) implies a more deliberate action of grabbing or seizing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '捉' with '抓', leading to sentences like '我抓到了一只鸟' (Wǒ zhuā dào le yī zhī niǎo) when they want to say 'I caught a bird.' The correct verb here should be '捉': '我捉到了一只鸟'.
Write 捉
捉
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Grammar Patterns of 捉
捉 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 4 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
在他看来，这是个猫____老鼠的把戏，而我就是老鼠。
It's a cat-and-mouse game to him, and I'm the mouse.
Example Sentences for 捉 (10)
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1
在他看来，这是个猫捉老鼠的把戏，而我就是老鼠。
zài tā kàn lái， ， zhè shì gè māo zhuō lǎo shǔ de bǎ， xì ， ér wǒ jiù shì。
It's a cat-and-mouse game to him, and I'm the mouse.
