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掐

qiā
HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Common

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Definitions

  1. 1. to pick (flowers)
  2. 2. to pinch
  3. 3. to nip
  4. 4. to pinch off
  5. 5. to clutch
  6. 6. (slang) to fight

Character focus

Stroke order

11 strokes

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
放
fàng

to put

To release or let go, opposite of pinching or clutching.

Related words

1 item
指
zhǐ

finger

Finger, often used in actions like pinching.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Learners often confuse 掐 (qiā) with 摘 (zhāi). 掐 implies using fingernails to pinch or break off, while 摘 means to pick by twisting or detaching without pinching. E.g., 掐花 (break a flower with nails) vs. 摘花 (pick a flower).

Formality

When meaning 'to fight', 掐 is slang and very informal, often used among close friends or in joking contexts. It should not be used in formal settings.

Example Sentences

1 shown
他 掐 了一朵花。
He pinched off a flower.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 掐

掐断
qiā duàn

to nip off (with fingernails etc)

掐死
qiā sǐ

to throttle

掐算
qiā suàn

to count with one's fingers

掐脖子
qiā bó zi

to seize by the throat

掐表
qiā biǎo

to use a stopwatch