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March 24, 2026
着手(著手)zhuóshǒu(zhuo2shou3)
着手 (zhuó shǒu) means to begin or set about doing something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is starting a task or project, signifying the initiation of action. This term emphasizes the act of putting effort into a task rather than merely planning or thinking about it.
Strokes15Frequency#5891DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '着手' is closely tied to the value placed on diligence and hard work, particularly in professional settings. Initiating a task is often seen as a sign of commitment and responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a big, heavy task in front of them, and they are rolling up their sleeves to put their hands to work. The character '着' looks like a person attached to something, and '手' means hand, together reminding you of 'putting your hands to it' as you start a task.
Meanings of 着手
zhuóshǒu(zhuo2shou3)
1to put one's hand to it
2to start out on a task
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 着手
着手Simplified
著手Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5891Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 着手
Podcast: 着手
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AI Study Notes for 着手
Quick Contrast
着手 (begin) vs 开始 (start) — use 着手 when emphasizing the initiation of a task with effort.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 着手 with 进行 (jìnxíng), which means to carry out something already in progress. 着手 is more about the initiation phase. This term is generally more formal, so it's suitable for both written and spoken contexts when discussing work or projects.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 着手 is connected to other advanced vocabulary related to work and progress. Students should focus on its usage in formal contexts and practice sentences that involve project initiation or starting tasks.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 着手 in casual situations where 开始 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我着手吃饭' (I start to eat) is incorrect; it should be '我开始吃饭'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 着手
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How Well Do You Know 着手?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 着手 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.
着手 (zhuó shǒu) means to begin or set about doing something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is starting a task or project, signifying the initiation of action. This term emphasizes the act of putting effort into a task rather than merely planning or thinking about it.
When to use 着手
Common mistakes include confusing 着手 with 进行 (jìnxíng), which means to carry out something already in progress. 着手 is more about the initiation phase. This term is generally more formal, so it's suitable for both written and spoken contexts when discussing work or projects.
着手 or something close to it
着手 (begin) vs 开始 (start) — use 着手 when emphasizing the initiation of a task with effort.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 着手 in casual situations where 开始 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我着手吃饭' (I start to eat) is incorrect; it should be '我开始吃饭'.
Write 着手
着
手
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Grammar Patterns of 着手
着手 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. 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
一位推____推车的侍者紧随着他过来。
In his wake came a waiter wheeling a trolley.
Example Sentences for 着手 (16)
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1
一位推着手推车的侍者紧随着他过来。
yī wèi tuī zháo shǒu tuī chē de shì zhě jǐn suí zháo tā guò lái。
In his wake came a waiter wheeling a trolley.
2
那名男子打着手电筒，慢慢地朝她走过去。
nà míng nán zǐ dǎ zháo shǒu diàn tǒng， ， màn màn dì zhāo tā zǒu guò。
The man walked slowly towards her, shining the flashlight.
3
他用那只戴着手套的手拿起一张光盘。
tā yòng nà zhī dài zháo shǒu tào de shǒu ná qǐ yī zhāng guāng pán。
