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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'hand' with 手 (shǒu)

    Existence & Possession

    Structure

    Noun + 的 + 手

    Explanation

    手 (shǒu) is a noun meaning 'hand.' It is one of the most basic body-part words in Chinese and appears in many common expressions. The phrase 拉着…的手 means 'holding someone's hand.'

    Examples

    • 你的手怎么这么冰？快进来暖和一下。

      Nǐ de shǒu zěnme zhème bīng? Kuài jìnlái nuǎnhuo yīxià.

      Why are your hands so cold? Come inside and warm up.

    • 她紧紧握着妈妈的手，不肯松开。

      Tā jǐnjǐn wòzhe māma de shǒu, bù kěn sōngkāi.

      She held her mother's hand tightly and wouldn't let go.

    • 请举手回答问题。

      Qǐng jǔ shǒu huídá wèntí.

      Please raise your hand to answer the question.

    Expressing 'hand' with 手 (shǒu) | Chinese Grammar