(huá) - To scratch & to scrape

Tone 2

huá | 13 strokes | radical:

· huá

To scratch;

to scrape;

to rub;

also used in the term 搳拳 (huá quán) meaning finger-guessing game played while drinking.

To scratchto scrapeto rub

Usage highlights

FingerScratch headScrape doorScrape surfaceRub hands

Synonyms

  • to scrape, to scratch
  • to scratch, to scrape
  • to scratch, to scrape

Antonyms

  • to stroke, to caress
  • to touch gently, to feel

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He scratched his head in confusion (搳头).
  • They played the drinking game (搳拳).
  • The cat scraped at the door (搳门).

Collocations

  • Finger-guessing game(搳拳)
  • Scratch head(搳头)
  • Scrape door(搳门)
  • Scrape surface(搳表面)
  • Rub hands(搳手)

Idioms

  • Five Fingers Guess(五魁首搳拳)
  • Happy Fist Game(快乐搳拳)
  • Drinking Game Fist(酒令搳拳)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily associated with traditional Chinese drinking games where participants guess the number of fingers shown.
  • The character combines the hand radical (扌) with phonetic component 害, suggesting the action of hand movement.
  • Used in informal contexts, particularly in social drinking settings.

FAQ