拿起

náqǐ

verb

Meanings

1 to pick up
2 to take up (an object)

Characters

up (directional)

Examples

他拿起电话，深吸了一口气。

Tā náqǐ diànhuà, shēn xī le yī kǒu qì.

He picked up the phone and took a deep breath.

请拿起笔在这里签个字。

Qǐng náqǐ bǐ zài zhèlǐ qiān gè zì.

Please pick up the pen and sign here.

她拿起书又放下，看起来心事重重。

Tā náqǐ shū yòu fàngxià, kàn qǐlái xīnshì chóngchóng.

She picked up the book then put it back down — she seemed preoccupied.

Tips

grammar

拿 (verb 'to hold/take') + 起 (directional complement 'up') = 'pick up'. Pairs naturally with 放下 (fàngxià, 'put down'). Compare 拿起 (concrete physical action) with figurative 拿起武器 'take up arms' or 拿起笔来 'take up the pen' (i.e. start writing).

Stroke Order

拿 ná

起 qǐ