拿 (ná) - To take & to hold

拿Tone 2

ná ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

慕娜

拿 · ná

To take;

to hold;

to grasp;

to capture;

to seize;

to bring;

to fetch.

To taketo holdto grasp

Usage highlights

Take outTake in handTake awayCapture aliveTake seriouslyHave a way to deal with something

Synonyms

  • 取— to take; to get; to fetch
  • 持— to hold; to grasp
  • 抓— to grab; to seize

Antonyms

  • 放— to release; to let go; to put down
  • 弃— to abandon; to discard
  • 丢— to lose; to throw away

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Please take this book (拿这本书).
  • He holds a pen in his hand (他手里拿着一支笔).
  • I'll go get some water (我去拿点水).
  • The police arrested the criminal (警察拿住了罪犯).

Collocations

  • Take out(拿出)
  • Take in hand(拿在手里)
  • Take away(拿走)
  • Capture alive(活拿)
  • Take seriously(拿当回事)
  • Have a way to deal with something(有办法拿)

Idioms

  • ten grasps, nine stable — very confident of success(Ten拿九稳)
  • hand arrives and takes it — accomplish something easily(手到拿来)
  • adopt airs and postures — put on airs(拿腔作势)
  • dog catching mice — meddling in others' business(狗拿耗子)
  • skillful play — one's specialty or forte(拿手好戏)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character combines 合 (join/unite) and 手 (hand), suggesting bringing things together with the hand.
  • In Chinese culture, 'taking' implies both physical grasping and metaphorical control or mastery.
  • Used in many idiomatic expressions about capability, confidence, and sometimes interference.

FAQ