How to Write 揪 (jiū) — Meaning “to pull; to seize”

Picture your hand (扌) pulling an autumn leaf (秋) off a tree branch. This visual combines the components into one memorable scene: a hand seizing something in autumn.

Pay attention to the balance between left and right halves; the left 扌 is narrow and the right 秋 is wider. Common mistakes include confusing the stroke order of 秋 — remember to write 禾 (grain) first, then 火 (fire) on its right side.

Visually, 揪 has 秋 on the right, 挨 has 矣, and 挫 has 坐. In meaning, 揪 means "to pull or seize," 挨 means "to lean on or suffer," and 挫 means "to defeat or frustrate." All three use the hand radical, but the right parts change the pronunciation and core meaning completely.

揪 is common in everyday speech for physical pulling, like 揪耳朵 (pull someone's ear) or 揪住 (grab hold of). It also appears in emotional phrases like 揪心 (heart-wrenching), describing a feeling of deep worry or pain. Though not in HSK, it's a useful character for learners who want to understand real conversations.

Common words containing 揪 include: 揪住 (jiū zhù) — to grab hold of; to seize; 揪心 (jiū xīn) — heart-wrenching; agonizing; 揪耳朵 (jiū ěr duǒ) — to pull someone's ear.