着手

著手

zhuóshǒu

verb HSK 7-9 #5,891

Meanings

1 to set about
2 to start (doing something)
3 to begin to tackle

Characters

to touch; to apply

Examples

我们应该着手解决这个问题。

Wǒmen yīnggāi zhuóshǒu jiějué zhège wèntí.

We should start tackling this problem.

他已经着手准备了。

Tā yǐjīng zhuóshǒu zhǔnbèi le.

He has already started preparing.

Tips

memory

着 (to touch) + 手 (hand) = to put your hand on something = to begin working on it.

usage

着手 is more formal than 开始 (kāishǐ). It implies actively beginning to work on a task, not just 'starting' in general.

Stroke Order

着 zhe

手 shǒu