(qǔ) - to take, to fetch, to withdraw in Mandarin
qǔTraditional: 取
Translation
to take, to fetch, to withdraw
Word origin
An oracle-bone ideograph showing 又 (a hand) taking 耳 (an ear), from the practice of cutting off an enemy ear as proof of a kill. The sense generalised to taking.
- Origin
- ideographic compound
- Root
- 耳 (ěr, ear) + 又 (yòu, hand)
Stroke order
取
Examples
。
I am going to the bank to take out some money.
裹。
Please collect your parcel at the front desk.
。
He took an old book down off the shelf.
。
I will come and fetch the car tomorrow morning.
。
It was her grandfather who chose this name for her.
取 (qǔ) is to take in the sense of collecting or fetching something that is waiting for you: money from a bank, a parcel from a counter, a book off a shelf. It is a shade more formal than 拿.
It stretches a long way in compounds. 取消 is to cancel, 取得 is to obtain, 录取 is to admit a student, and 取名 is to give a name, which is why the grandfather in the last example 取了 a name rather than gave one.
The trap is the identical pinyin 娶, also qǔ, which means to marry a woman. Same sound, very different afternoon. And do not use 取 for picking a person up at the airport; that is 接.
Where this fits
Used in
Grammar articles
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取: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "取" (to take, to fetch, to withdraw): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 55.