掬 (jū) - To scoop up or hold with both hands & to cup in one's hands

掬Tone 1

jū ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

掬 · jū

To scoop up or hold with both hands;

to cup in one's hands;

a measure word for what can be held in two hands.

To scoop up or hold with both handsto cup in one's handsa measure word for what can be held

Usage highlights

Scoop up waterHold in both handsA handful ofSmile that can be scooped upScoop up moonlightScoop up fragrance

Synonyms

  • 捧— To hold or carry in both hands
  • 掏— To fish out, scoop out

Antonyms

  • 撒— To scatter, let go
  • 抛— To throw, toss away

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He scooped up water with his hands (掬水).
  • She held a handful of sand (掬一把沙).
  • A smile that can be scooped up (笑容可掬).
  • I scooped up some rice from the bag (从袋中掬米).

Collocations

  • Scoop up water(掬水)
  • Hold in both hands(双手掬)
  • A handful of(一掬)
  • Smile that can be scooped up(笑容可掬)
  • Scoop up moonlight(掬月)
  • Scoop up fragrance(掬香)

Idioms

  • Beaming with smiles(笑容可掬)
  • Scoop up water to see the moon(掬水月在手)
  • Scoop up water, fragrance fills the hands(掬水盈香)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical poetry to depict delicate, intimate actions like holding water or moonlight.
  • The idiom '笑容可掬' describes a face so full of smiles it seems one could scoop them up.
  • Represents a measure of something precious or delicate that can be contained in two hands.

FAQ