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捉

zhuō
verb HSK 6 #3,695

Meanings

  1. 1 to catch; to grab; to seize
  2. 2 to capture (insects, animals, criminals)

Examples

猫在捉老鼠。
Māo zài zhuō lǎoshǔ.
The cat is catching mice.
小孩们在捉迷藏。
Xiǎoháimen zài zhuō mí cáng.
The kids are playing hide and seek.
警察捉住了小偷。
Jǐngchá zhuō zhù le xiǎotōu.
The police caught the thief.
他去河边捉鱼。
Tā qù hé biān zhuō yú.
He went to the river to catch fish.

Tips

usage
捉 is often used for catching animals or in set phrases. 捉迷藏 (zhuō mí cáng) = hide and seek. 捉弄 (zhuō nòng) = to tease/play tricks on someone. For catching criminals, 抓 (zhuā) is more common in modern speech.
culture
捉摸不定 (zhuō mō bù dìng) = unpredictable, hard to figure out. 捉襟见肘 (zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu) = to be in financial straits (pulling your lapel exposes your elbow — clothes too small).

Stroke Order

捉 zhuō