(zhí) - To hold & to grasp

Tone 2

zhí | 11 strokes | radical:

· zhí

To hold;

to grasp;

to execute;

to carry out;

to persist in;

to adhere to;

to be in charge of;

to manage.

To holdto graspto execute

Usage highlights

To hold the pen; to writeTo execute; to implementTo be stubborn; to insistTo be in charge of; to manageTo take an examinationTo enforce the law

Synonyms

  • to hold; to maintain
  • to grasp; to hold
  • to hold; to operate

Antonyms

  • to release; to let go
  • to abandon; to discard

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He holds a pen in his hand (执笔).
  • The police executed the arrest warrant (执行逮捕令).
  • She adheres to her principles (执意坚持).
  • He is in charge of the company's affairs (执掌公司事务).

Collocations

  • To hold the pen; to write(执笔)
  • To execute; to implement(执行)
  • To be stubborn; to insist(执意)
  • To be in charge of; to manage(执掌)
  • To take an examination(执考)
  • To enforce the law(执法)

Idioms

  • To be stubborn and refuse to listen to advice(执迷不悟)
  • Each sticks to his own view(各执一词)
  • To hold a candle to the devil(执鞭随镫)
  • To be opinionated and self-assured(执而不化)
  • To hold the document of appointment(执圭捧爵)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a person being handcuffed, later evolving to mean 'to hold' or 'to control'.
  • In Confucian context, implies steadfastness in moral principles.
  • Associated with authority and execution of duties, as in legal and administrative terms (e.g., 执法, 执政).

FAQ