执Tone 2

zhí ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 扌

执 · zhí

to hold;

to grasp;

to execute;

to carry out;

to persist;

to adhere to;

to be in charge of;

to capture.

to holdto graspto execute

Usage highlights

to executeto holdto graspto insistto be in chargeto capture

Synonyms

持— to hold; to maintain
握— to grasp; to hold
拿— to take; to hold

Antonyms

放— to release; to let go
弃— to abandon; to discard

Usage & contexts

Examples

He holds a pen in his hand (执笔).
The police arrested the suspect (执捕).
She insisted on her own opinion (执意).
He is in charge of the department (执掌).

Collocations

to execute(执行)
to hold(执持)
to grasp(执握)
to insist(执意)
to be in charge(执掌)
to capture(执捕)

Idioms

To stick to one's own course(各执己见)
To hold the reins of power(执掌大权)
To be stubborn and opinionated(固执己见)
To be biased(偏执)
To be persistent(执着)

Cultural background

The character originally depicted a hand holding a criminal, symbolizing capture and control.
In Confucian thought, '执' relates to holding fast to principles and moral integrity.
In modern contexts, it often conveys determination and persistence, as in '执着' (persistence).

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