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掌握

zhǎngwò
verb HSK 5 #1,981

Meanings

  1. 1 to grasp; to master
  2. 2 to control; to have in hand

Characters

掌
zhǎng
palm of the hand
握
wò
to grasp; to hold
To hold something in your palm — to have it firmly under control.

Examples

你需要掌握基本的语法。
Nǐ xūyào zhǎngwò jīběn de yǔfǎ.
You need to master the basic grammar.
命运掌握在自己手中。
Mìngyùn zhǎngwò zài zìjǐ shǒu zhōng.
Destiny is in your own hands.
她已经掌握了三种语言。
Tā yǐjīng zhǎngwò le sān zhǒng yǔyán.
She has already mastered three languages.
老板掌握着公司的大权。
Lǎobǎn zhǎngwò zhe gōngsī de dàquán.
The boss holds the company's power.

Tips

usage
掌握 is used for mastering skills/knowledge (掌握技术, 掌握知识) and for controlling power/situations (掌握权力, 掌握局面).
memory
Picture holding a skill in the palm (掌) of your hand (握) — you've mastered it completely.

Stroke Order

掌 zhǎng
握 wò