to clutch, to grasp, to seize

JLPT N5 10 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The verb (zhuō) primarily means 'to catch' or 'to seize' something physically. It is often used in contexts involving capturing animals, people, or objects. For example, police catching a criminal or children playing hide-and-seek.

Common Collocations

  • (zhuō zhù): to catch and hold on to something or someone.
  • 捉迷藏 (zhuō mí cáng): hide-and-seek game.

Nuances

emphasizes the physical act of grasping or seizing, often implying a successful capture. It is more direct and concrete than (zhuā), which can also mean to grab but sometimes implies a lighter or quicker action.

Usage Tips

Use when you want to highlight the act of catching or holding firmly. It is common in spoken and written Chinese but tends to appear more in formal or narrative contexts than in casual conversation.

Avoid confusing with ; often implies a more deliberate or successful capture.

Example Sentences

The police successfully caught the fugitive.

Children like to play hide-and-seek.

He tried to catch the butterfly that flew away.