How to Write 攥 (zuàn) — Meaning “to grip or clutch”

Imagine you are tightly gripping a bundle of firewood (represented by the complex right part 纂) with your hand (扌). The many strokes in 纂 look like several sticks or fingers squeezing together. So remember: "Your hand (扌) clenches a messy pile (纂) — that's 攥 (zuàn), to grip tightly."

The left radical 扌 is written in two horizontal strokes (one short, one long) then a vertical hook, taking up about one-third of the square. The right part 纂 is complicated: start with the top 竹 (bamboo) as two small left-right components, then a middle 目 (eye), and a bottom 大 (big) with two dots. A common mistake is writing the bottom as 小 (small) instead of 大 with two dots — remember the bottom is a stretched 大. Also keep the strokes tight and compact, as 攥 has 23 strokes.

攥 is used in everyday speech to describe physically gripping something firmly, like 攥紧拳头 (clench a fist) or 攥住绳子 (grip the rope tightly). It is less formal and more vivid than 握 (wò), often implying strength or tension. You might also hear 攥着钱 (holding money tightly in hand), showing a protective or reluctant grip. It is not a high-frequency character but appears in both spoken and written Chinese for specific gripping actions.

Common words containing 攥 include: 攥紧 (zuàn jǐn) — to grip tightly; to clench; 攥住 (zuàn zhù) — to grip; to hold fast; 攥着 (zuàn zhe) — holding; clutching.