() - To hold with both hands & a handful

Tone 1

jū | 8 strokes | radical: 勹

·

To hold with both hands;

a handful;

ancient form meaning to grasp or contain.

To hold with both handsa handfulancient form meaning to grasp or contain.

Usage highlights

HandfulTo hold in both handsAncient measure wordCupped hands

Synonyms

  • to hold in both hands
  • handful; grasp

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He held a handful of rice (一匊米).
  • The ancient character depicts cupped hands (匊 is an old form for holding).
  • Used in classical texts for measuring small quantities (一匊之量).

Collocations

  • Handful(一匊)
  • To hold in both hands(匊捧)
  • Ancient measure word(匊量)
  • Cupped hands(手匊)

Idioms

  • Not found in common modern idioms

Cultural background

FAQ
  • An ancient character depicting the action of holding something with both cupped hands.
  • Appears in classical Chinese texts as a measure for small quantities.
  • The component 米 (rice) inside 勹 (wrapping) suggests containing grain in hands.

FAQ