Definition
掐 (qiā) means 'to pinch' using the thumb and index finger, often with a sharp or cutting motion — distinct from 捏 (niē), which is a gentler pinch or means to mold. For picking flowers, 掐 implies pinching off, while 摘 (zhāi) is the general term for picking by hand. Colloquially, 掐 can mean 'to quarrel or fight', less formal than 吵架 (chǎo jià).
verb
to pinchto nip (between thumb and finger)to pick (flowers, leaves) by pinching off(colloquial) to fightto quarrel
Easily confused
- 陷xiànlook-aliketo sink into, to get stuck in (physical substance); to cave in
- 卡qiǎsound-alike(noun) checkpoint, customs station, checkpost
- 馅xiànlook-alikefilling, stuffing (for dumplings, pies, etc.)
- 卡qiǎsound-aliketo block; to be stuck
Examples
- 掐。Tā qīngqīng de qiā le yíxià wǒ de liǎn.He gently pinched my cheek.
- 掐。Nǎinai zài yuànzi lǐ qiā le jǐ duǒ mòlìhuā.Grandma picked a few jasmine flowers in the yard.
- 掐。Nà liǎng ge tóngshì wèi xiǎoshì zài bàngōngshì qiā qǐlai le.Those two colleagues started quarreling in the office over a small matter.
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