Meanings of 拎
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About 拎
Podcast: 拎
Podcast: 拎
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AI Study Notes for 拎
提 (tí) — use 拎 (līn) when emphasizing carrying by a handle, while 提 (tí) is more general for lifting or raising.
Learners often confuse 拎 with other verbs that mean 'to carry' or 'to hold.' It's important to note that 拎 specifically implies lifting or hauling with a handle or by hand. This term is informal and may not be used in very formal contexts.
While 拎 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to other common verbs of motion and handling, such as 拿 (ná, to take) and 提 (tí, to lift). Students should focus on the context of usage and practice distinguishing between these similar verbs.
A common mistake is to use 拎 in formal contexts, where a more appropriate verb like 提 (tí) might be expected. For example, saying '我拎着文件' (Wǒ līn zhe wénjiàn) in a formal report should be replaced with '我提着文件' (Wǒ tí zhe wénjiàn).
Pronunciation of 拎
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Etymology of 拎
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound.
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 拎
Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half扌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half令 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 拎? 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 拎
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How to say to lift, to haul, to take in Chinese
“to lift, to haul, to take” in Chinese is拎
The character 拎 (līn) means to lift or carry something, often by the handle. It is commonly used in contexts where one is hauling or holding items, particularly with one's hand. This verb conveys a sense of actively moving an object, typically of moderate weight.
When to use 拎
Learners often confuse 拎 with other verbs that mean 'to carry' or 'to hold.' It's important to note that 拎 specifically implies lifting or hauling with a handle or by hand. This term is informal and may not be used in very formal contexts.
拎 or something close to it
提 (tí) — use 拎 (līn) when emphasizing carrying by a handle, while 提 (tí) is more general for lifting or raising.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is to use 拎 in formal contexts, where a more appropriate verb like 提 (tí) might be expected. For example, saying '我拎着文件' (Wǒ līn zhe wénjiàn) in a formal report should be replaced with '我提着文件' (Wǒ tí zhe wénjiàn).
Write 拎
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Practice writing 拎 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 拎
拎 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
我匆忙装好食品篮，吃力地把它____上车子。
I hastily packed the hamper and lugged it to the car.
Example Sentences for 拎 (4)
Word Family of 拎
Compound Meaning
What does 拎 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 拎
You can say '我拎着包' (Wǒ līn zhe bāo), which means 'I am carrying the bag.'
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