挦 (xián) - To pull out, to pluck (especially hair or & to tear out

挦Tone 2

xián ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

挦 · xián

To pull out, to pluck (especially hair or feathers);

to tear out;

to take something by force.

To pull out, to pluck (especially hair orto tear outto take something by force.

Usage highlights

Pull out hairPluck feathersTear out forciblyPull and tugPluck chicken feathersTake by force

Synonyms

  • 拔— to pull out, to extract
  • 扯— to pull, to tear
  • 揪— to grab and pull

Antonyms

  • 插— to insert, to stick in
  • 种— to plant, to grow

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He pulled out a few gray hairs (挦了几根白头发).
  • The child plucked feathers from the pillow (从枕头上挦羽毛).
  • They forcibly took his belongings (挦走了他的东西).

Collocations

  • Pull out hair(挦头发)
  • Pluck feathers(挦羽毛)
  • Tear out forcibly(硬挦)
  • Pull and tug(挦扯)
  • Pluck chicken feathers(挦鸡毛)
  • Take by force(挦夺)

Idioms

  • Pull hair and pluck feathers(挦毛捣鬓)
  • Pull and tear excessively(东挦西扯)
  • Pluck feathers and pick bones(挦毛剔骨)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to the action of plucking hair or feathers, often seen in food preparation.
  • Extended metaphorically to describe forcibly taking something from someone.
  • Considered a somewhat crude or violent action in classical literature.

FAQ