🇨🇳 How to say

“take” in Chinese

拿ná
Illustration of "take" in a Chinese cultural setting
A person reaches into a kitchen cabinet, their hand closing gently around a blue ceramic mug. Morning sunlight streams through the window, illuminating the simple act of getting ready for coffee.

Usage note

拿 is your go-to verb for the physical action of taking or holding something with your hand. It's very common and neutral, used for everything from picking up an object to fetching something from another room.

Examples

  • 请帮我拿一本书。

    Please help me take a book.

  • 他手里拿着一个苹果。

    He is holding an apple in his hand.

  • 我去拿一杯水。

    I'll go get a glass of water.

Quick check

What does "拿" mean?

  • A. take
  • B. can
  • C. open
  • D. help

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