抓
zhuā
The English verb 'scratch' is translated into Chinese as 抓 (zhuā).
抓 is used to describe the act of digging or scraping with claws or fingernails with the intention to injure. It can also mean to grab or seize something. If you are talking about the act of scratching and causing a physical wound or mark, the compound 抓伤 is often used.
Meaning: dig or scrape with claws or fingernails with the intention to injure (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 抓 is the basic verb, colloquial speech often uses the combination 抓挠 to mean 'to scratch'. If you want to specifically express the act of scratching an itch, the informal phrase 挠痒 is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
抓 is a single-syllable verb that can be used to mean both 'to scratch' and 'to grab or seize'.
How do you pronounce it?
zhuā
Did you know?
- In a legal or police context, 抓 is the standard term for 'arresting' someone, effectively meaning to 'grab' or 'catch' them.
- The phonetic component 爪 (claw) is actually a pictograph of a hand with sharp claws, which helps explain the sound and meaning of 抓.
- When Chinese speakers talk about scratching an itch, they often use 挠, a word that implies a rhythmic or repetitive rubbing motion rather than a sharp tear.
Examples in context
- 我抓了一下头发，以释放压力。I scratched my head to relieve stress.
- 她挠着红肿的胳膊，皮肤过敏了。She scratched her red and swollen arm because of an allergic reaction.
- 他不停地抓痒，因为被蚊子叮咬了。He kept scratching the itchy area because he got bitten by mosquitoes.
- 她不停地搔痒，因为蚊子叮咬她了。She kept scratching because she got bitten by mosquitoes.
- 宝宝没有耐心，一直在抓挠弟弟的脸。The baby, lacking patience, kept scratching his little brother's face.
- 猫抓了我。The cat scratched me.
- 那只猫在抓我。Nà zhī māo zài zhuā wǒ.That cat is scratching me.
- 不要抓那个小孩。Búyào zhuā nàge xiǎohái.Don't scratch that child.
- 他抓伤了我的胳膊。Tā zhuāshāng le wǒ de gēbo.He scratched my arm.
Example conversation
A woman is tending to a small scratch on a man's arm.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你的胳膊怎么了？Nǐ de gēbo zěnme le?What happened to your arm?
- 浩然 Haoran刚才被猫抓了一下。Gāngcái bèi māo zhuā le yīxià.A cat just scratched me.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen它抓得很疼吗？Tā zhuā de hěn téng ma?Did it scratch you painfully?
- 浩然 Haoran有点疼，但不严重。Yǒudiǎn téng, dàn bù yánzhòng.It hurts a bit, but it is not serious.
