Definition
握 (wò) is a formal/literary verb meaning 'to hold, grasp, or clench'. It pairs specifically with 手 (hand) in 握手 'shake hands' and 拳头 (fist) in 'clench one's fist'. For everyday physical holding, use 拿 (ná); for figurative mastery (掌握) or seizing an opportunity (把握, which contains 握), use the full compound.
verb
to holdto graspto clench (one's fist)to seize (an opportunity)
Easily confused
- 我wǒsound-alikeI; me; my (first-person singular pronoun)
- 窝wōsound-alike(noun) nest; lair; den; pit
- 卧wòsound-aliketo lie down; to crouch
Examples
- 握。Wǒmen dì yī cì jiànmiàn shí rèqíng de wò le shǒu.We warmly shook hands when we first met.
- 。Tā shēngqì de wò jǐn le quántou.He angrily clenched his fist.
- 。Nǐ yídìng yào wò zhù zhège jīhuì.You must seize this opportunity.
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