拿
ná/nä³⁵/
In Chinese, 'take' is expressed as 拿 (ná).
The verb 拿 is primarily used for physical objects that can be grasped by hand. The term 取 (qǔ) is often used when 'take' implies fetching or getting something.
Which one should you use?
The term 拿走 (ná zǒu) is commonly used in informal settings to indicate taking something away.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 了 (le) after 拿 indicates that the action of taking has been completed.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ná.
Did you know?
- While 拿 means 'take', using it with certain objects can change the meaning to 'handle' or 'manage', such as in the phrase 拿不定主意 meaning 'cannot make up one's mind'.
- Using 拿 to mean 'taking' an object can be subtly different from 'taking' a person or a bus, which require entirely different verbs.
- The character 拿 is a compound of two parts: one representing 'to combine' and the other representing 'hand'.
Examples in context
- 我沒想要拿。I didn't mean to take it.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of intent regarding the use of 拿.Tatoeba #13138186 by LeviHighway, translation #2290420 by CK
- 您可以拿着这个.You may take this.This sentence demonstrates how to use 拿着 to describe the act of holding something.Tatoeba #4687053 by murr, translation #4728192 by paper1n0
- 你喜歡什麼就拿吧。Take whatever you like.This sentence shows how to use 拿 when offering someone the choice to take an item.Tatoeba #3706733 by egg0073, translation #5574902 by n1ls
- 我拿起了书。I picked up the book.
- 请取一份文件。Please retrieve a document.
- 接受一份礼物。Accept a gift.
- 把这个拿走。Take this away.
- 抓住机会。Seize the opportunity.
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Haoran are in the kitchen.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你可以帮我拿那个杯子吗？Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ ná nàge bēizi ma?Can you help me take that cup?
- 浩然 Haoran没问题，我现在就拿给你。Méi wèntí, wǒ xiànzài jiù ná gěi nǐ.No problem, I'll take it for you now.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢你，浩然。Xièxiè nǐ, Hàorán.Thank you, Haoran.
- 浩然 Haoran不用客气，晓雯。Búyòng kèqì, Xiǎowén.You're welcome, Xiaowen.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 拿, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 拿, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
