Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
捧 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
捧pěngto claspHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8521, Hard
捧pěngto cup the handsHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8521, Hard
捧pěngto hold up with both handsHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8521, Hard
捧pěngto offer (esp. in cupped hands)HSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8521, Hard
捧pěngto praiseHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8521, Hard
捧pěngto flatterHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8521, Hard
捧pěngto hold or offer with both handsHSK 6, v, 11 strokes, radical 扌, rank #8521, Hard
pěng(peng3)peng T3
  1. 1to clasp
  2. 2to cup the hands
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

捧pěng(peng3)

The character 捧 (pěng) primarily means to hold or offer something with both hands, often conveying a sense of care or respect. It is commonly used in contexts such as presenting a gift or offering something precious. Additionally, it can imply praising or flattering someone, highlighting the dual nature of holding and uplifting.

Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#8521DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the act of offering something with both hands, as suggested by 捧, reflects respect and seriousness. This is particularly evident in traditional ceremonies, such as presenting gifts during weddings or significant celebrations.

Memory tip

Imagine you are holding a delicate, precious object in both hands, like a cup of tea. The character 捧 combines the radical for hand (扌) and a form suggesting a cupping action, reminding you of the gentle way you would hold something valuable. The pronunciation 'pěng' sounds like 'pong', as if you are gently placing the cup down.

Meanings of 捧

pěng(peng3)
1to clasp
2to cup the hands
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 捧 means.

About 捧

捧Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#8521Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 捧

JasonAmy

Podcast: 捧

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 捧

Quick Contrast

捧 (pěng) vs 抱 (bào) — use 捧 when emphasizing offering something with care, while 抱 focuses on holding something close, often in a protective manner.

Usage Notes

Be aware that 捧 is often used in more formal or polite contexts, especially when offering something to someone. Common collocations include 捧场 (to support or flatter) and 捧心 (to hold something dear). Students should also pay attention to the tone; mispronouncing it as 'péng' could change its meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 捧 connects with other verbs of physical action and emotional expression. Students should focus on its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts, particularly in phrases related to offering and praise, which can enhance conversational fluency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 捧 with other similar verbs like 拿 (ná) meaning 'to take' or 'to hold', which lacks the nuance of offering with care. For example, saying '我拿这个给你' (wǒ ná zhège gěi nǐ) instead of '我捧这个给你' (wǒ pěng zhège gěi nǐ) can sound less respectful.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 捧

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 捧, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 捧 to you

Let me explain 捧 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 捧 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 捧?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 捧 is seven skills, not one.

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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 捧

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

An offering 奉 made with two hands 扌; 奉 also provides the pronunciation

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

Origin

What kind of character is 捧?

Decomposition of 捧

IDS Structure⿰扌奉
捧Full character
=
扌shou3
left
奉feng4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 捧?

How to say to clasp in Chinese

“to clasp” in Chinese is捧pěng

The character 捧 (pěng) primarily means to hold or offer something with both hands, often conveying a sense of care or respect. It is commonly used in contexts such as presenting a gift or offering something precious. Additionally, it can imply praising or flattering someone, highlighting the dual nature of holding and uplifting.

When to use 捧

Be aware that 捧 is often used in more formal or polite contexts, especially when offering something to someone. Common collocations include 捧场 (to support or flatter) and 捧心 (to hold something dear). Students should also pay attention to the tone; mispronouncing it as 'péng' could change its meaning entirely.

捧 or something close to it

捧 (pěng) vs 抱 (bào) — use 捧 when emphasizing offering something with care, while 抱 focuses on holding something close, often in a protective manner.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 捧 with other similar verbs like 拿 (ná) meaning 'to take' or 'to hold', which lacks the nuance of offering with care. For example, saying '我拿这个给你' (wǒ ná zhège gěi nǐ) instead of '我捧这个给你' (wǒ pěng zhège gěi nǐ) can sound less respectful.

Write 捧

捧

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 捧

捧 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 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.

她双手____着它给我们看。

She held it in her cupped hands for us to see.

Example sentences for 捧 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她双手捧着它给我们看。

tā shuāngshǒu pěng zhe tā gěi wǒmen kàn。

She held it in her cupped hands for us to see.
2
如果你规规矩矩,就可以一辈子都捧着这个饭碗。

rúguǒ nǐ guī guīju jǔ, jiù kěyǐ yíbèizi dōu pěng zhe zhège fànwǎn。

If you kept your nose clean, you had a job for life.
3
她捧起疏松的泥土,任其缓缓地从指间漏下。

tā pěng qǐ shū sōng de nítǔ, rèn qí huǎnhuǎn dì cóng zhǐ jiān lòu xià。

She gathered loose soil and let it filter slowly through her fingers.
4
不要把这样一些孩子捧得太高了.

búyào bǎ zhèyàng yìxiē háizi pěng de tài gāo le.

Do not preach up such boys so much.
5
你们把他捧得太高了.

nǐmen bǎ tā pěng de tài gāo le.

You praise him too highly.
6
我在我自己手中拿着,像捧着一朵娇嫩的花.

wǒ zài wǒ zìjǐ shǒu zhōng ná zhe, xiàng pěng zhe yī duǒ jiāo nèn de huā.

When I touched it with my hand it was like cupping a delicate , tender flower.
7
媒体会报道此事,小报则会大肆吹捧。

méitǐ huì bàodào cǐshì, xiǎo bào zé huì dàsì chuīpěng。

The media will report on it and the tabloids will build it up.
8
她是目前最富有、最受媒体追捧的人物之一。

tā shì mùqián zuì fùyǒu、 zuì shòu méitǐ zhuīpěng de rénwù zhīyī。

She is one of the wealthiest, most ubiquitous media personalities around.
9
戴维跪下身,用手捧起河水往脸上撩。

dài wéi guì xià shēn, yòng shǒu pěng qǐ hé shuǐ wǎng liǎn shàng liāo。

David knelt, cupped his hands and splashed river water on to his face.
10
王妈捧着燕窝粥进来, 吴荪甫也没觉得.

wáng mā pěng zhe yān wō yù jìnlái, wú sūn fǔ yě méi juéde.

The maid , Wang Mah , came in with a bowl of bird's - nest gruel for him.
11
他小心翼翼地捧起那只受伤的小鸟。

Tā xiǎoxīn yìyì de pěng qǐ nà zhǐ shòushāng de xiǎo niǎo.

He carefully clasped the injured little bird.
12
她捧着那本珍贵的古书,生怕它会掉下来。

Tā pěng zhe nà běn zhēnguì de gǔ shū, shēngpà tā huì diào xiàlái.

She clasped the precious ancient book, afraid it might fall.
13
他用双手捧起一杯热茶,小心翼翼地喝着。

Tā yòng shuāng shǒu pěng qǐ yī bēi rè chá, xiǎoxīn yìyì de hē zhe.

He clasped a cup of hot tea with both hands and drank it carefully.
14
孩子捧着妈妈给的糖果,脸上挂满了笑容。

Háizi pěng zhe māma gěi de tángguǒ, liǎnshàng guà mǎn le xiàoróng.

The child clasped the candy given by his mother, a smile all over his face.
15
她轻轻地捧着刚出生的婴儿,生怕弄疼了他。

Tā qīngqīng de pěng zhe gāng chūshēng de yīng'ér, shēngpà nòng téng le tā.

She gently clasped the newborn baby, afraid of hurting him.
16
他捧起满满一捧谷粒,仔细地观察它们的质量。

Tā pěng qǐ mǎnmǎn yī pěng gǔ lì, zǐxì de guānchá tāmen de zhìliàng.

He clasped a handful of grains and carefully examined their quality.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 捧?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 捧

Words containing this character12
捧pěngto clasp
捧场pěngchǎngto root for sb捧場
吹捧chuīpěngto flatter
捧腹大笑pěngfùdàxiàouproarious
捧杯pěngbēito come out top
捧腹pěngfùuproarious
众星捧月zhòngxīngpěngyuèto revolve around sb眾星捧月
捧读pěngdúto read (honorific: e.g. your distinguished article)捧讀
捧哏pěnggénfall-guy
捧角pěngjuéadulation
捧托pěngtuōto hold up with both hands
捧角儿pěngjuéradulation捧角兒
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 捧

What does 捧场 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 捧

While it can be used in informal contexts, it is generally more appropriate in formal situations, especially when showing respect.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 捧?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab