What does 抓 mean in Chinese?

抓 (zhuā) means "to grab; to catch; to arrest; to snatch; to scratch" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 抓?

抓 is pronounced "zhuā" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 抓?

抓 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 抓?

Common words with 抓 include 抓住 (to grab), 主抓 (to be in charge of), 乱抓 (to claw wildly), 抓伤 (to injure by scratching or clawing), 抓力 (grip).

How do you write 抓?

You can practice writing 抓 using our stroke order tool.

抓 (zhuā), to grab

抓

zhuā

to grab; to catch; to arrest; to snatch

HSK 5verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 手 (no. 64)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to grab
to catch
to arrest
to snatch
to scratch

Example Sentences

警察成功抓住了那个逃跑的小偷。

Jǐngchá chénggōng zhuā zhù le nàge táopǎo de xiǎotōu

The police successfully caught the thief who was running away

Words Containing 抓

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
抓住	zhuā zhù	to grab
主抓	zhǔ zhuā	to be in charge of
乱抓	luàn zhuā	to claw wildly
抓伤	zhuā shāng	to injure by scratching or clawing
抓力	zhuā lì	grip

Related Words

抢(qiǎng)· to fight over

捉拿(zhuō ná)· to arrest

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HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 3 list

抓: HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 抓 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.