to carry (esp. slung over the arm, shoulder or side)
HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #27798, Very Hard
挎
kuà
to carry
HSK 7, n, 9 strokes, radical 扌, rank #27798, Very Hard
kuà(kua4) T4
1to carry (esp. slung over the arm, shoulder or side)
2to carry
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March 24, 2026
挎kuà(kua4)
The character 挎 (kuà) refers to the action of carrying something, particularly in a manner where the item is slung over the arm, shoulder, or side. This term is commonly used in contexts such as carrying bags, backpacks, or other items that can be easily draped over one's body, suggesting a casual or practical approach to carrying belongings.
Strokes9Radical扌Frequency#27798DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, carrying bags or items slung over the shoulder is a common practice, often seen in bustling urban environments where convenience and mobility are essential. This character captures a practical aspect of daily life, especially in markets or while commuting.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a bag slung over their shoulder, effortlessly carrying it as they walk. The character 挎 has the radical 扌 (hand), indicating an action involving the hand, combined with 夸 (kuā), which sounds similar and can remind you of a 'slung' action. Picture the bag being 'bragged' about as it hangs stylishly on the shoulder.
Meanings of 挎
kuà(kua4)
1to carry (esp. slung over the arm, shoulder or side)
2to carry
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 挎
挎Simplified
9Strokes
扌Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#27798Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 挎
Podcast: 挎
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AI Study Notes for 挎
Quick Contrast
提 (tí) - use 挎 when referring to carrying something slung over the arm or shoulder, while 提 refers to lifting or carrying something by hand.
Usage Notes
Learners should note that 挎 is typically used in informal contexts, and is often associated with casual or everyday carrying. Common collocations include phrases like '挎包' (kuà bā) meaning 'shoulder bag'. Be careful not to confuse it with other carrying verbs like 拿 (ná), which implies a more direct holding.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 挎 connects with other terms related to carrying or holding, such as 提 (tí, to lift) and 拿 (ná, to take). Students should focus on differentiating between these similar verbs, especially in terms of context and nuance in usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 挎 with the more general term 拿, using it incorrectly in formal contexts. For instance, saying '我挎一个重箱子' (Wǒ kuà yīgè zhòng xiāngzi) is incorrect; it should be '我拿一个重箱子' (Wǒ ná yīgè zhòng xiāngzi).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 挎
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2The sound half夸 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhand
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 挎? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 挎?
Decomposition of 挎
IDS Structure⿰扌夸
挎Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
夸kua1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 挎?
How to say to carry (esp. slung over the arm, shoulder or side) in Chinese
“to carry (esp. slung over the arm, shoulder or side)” in Chinese is挎kuà
The character 挎 (kuà) refers to the action of carrying something, particularly in a manner where the item is slung over the arm, shoulder, or side. This term is commonly used in contexts such as carrying bags, backpacks, or other items that can be easily draped over one's body, suggesting a casual or practical approach to carrying belongings.
When to use 挎
Learners should note that 挎 is typically used in informal contexts, and is often associated with casual or everyday carrying. Common collocations include phrases like '挎包' (kuà bā) meaning 'shoulder bag'. Be careful not to confuse it with other carrying verbs like 拿 (ná), which implies a more direct holding.
挎 or something close to it
提 (tí) - use 挎 when referring to carrying something slung over the arm or shoulder, while 提 refers to lifting or carrying something by hand.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 挎 with the more general term 拿, using it incorrectly in formal contexts. For instance, saying '我挎一个重箱子' (Wǒ kuà yīgè zhòng xiāngzi) is incorrect; it should be '我拿一个重箱子' (Wǒ ná yīgè zhòng xiāngzi).
Write 挎
挎
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Practice writing 挎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 挎
挎 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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
Complete the Sentence
他把包一甩，____在肩上。
He slung the bag over his shoulder.
Example Sentences for 挎 (10)
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1
他把包一甩，挎在肩上。
tā bǎ bāo yī shuǎi， ， kuà zài jiān。
He slung the bag over his shoulder.
2
他靠着船头跪下, 暂时又把钓索挎在背上.
tā kào zháo chuán tóu guì xià, , zàn shí yòu bǎ diào suǒ kuà zài bèi.
He kneeled against the bow and, for a moment, slipped the line over his back again.
3
天空灰蒙蒙的,早起的家庭主妇挎着鼓鼓的袋子从他身旁走过.
tiān kōng huī mēng mēng de, , zǎo qǐ de jiā tíng zhǔ fù kuà zháo gǔ gǔ de dài zǐ cóng tā shēn páng zǒu.
The early housewives passed him under the pale hazy sky, carrying bulging sacks.
