Hand Verbs (Open, Push, Pull) in Chinese 动手
dòngshǒu
Hand actions in Chinese is 手部动作 (shǒu bù dòng zuò).
Also searched for as: open close, push pull, wash, hand actions.
What do your hands do? 15 essential hands-on verbs words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
These are the verbs for everyday physical actions: 开 (kāi), to open or switch on, 关 (guān), to close or switch off, 放 (fàng), to put, and 洗 (xǐ), to wash. You'll hear them in instructions at home and in class, and see them on signs, such as 推 (tuī) and 拉 (lā) on doors. Many pair with 把 (bǎ) to say what you do to something, as in 把门关上 (bǎ mén guān shàng), 'close the door'.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 开 | kāi | to open; to turn on |
| 关 | guān | to close; to turn off |
| 打开 | dǎ kāi | to open; to switch on |
| 放 | fàng | to put |
| 拿走 | ná zǒu | to take away |
| 穿 | chuān | to put on; to wear |
| 脱 | tuō | to take off (clothes) |
| 洗 | xǐ | to wash |
| 擦 | cā | to wipe |
| 推 | tuī | to push |
| 拉 | lā | to pull |
| 扔 | rēng | to throw; to throw away |
| 接 | jiē | to catch; to pick up |
| 抱 | bào | to hug; to carry in your arms |
| 按 | àn | to press |
Usage tips
- 开 (kāi) and 关 (guān) work for both doors and devices: 开灯 (kāi dēng) is 'turn on the light' and 关空调 (guān kōng tiáo) 'turn off the air conditioning'.
- 穿 (chuān) is for clothes and shoes, but hats, glasses and watches take 戴 (dài): 戴帽子 (dài mào zi), 'wear a hat'.
- Adding 一下 (yī xià) after a verb, as in 按一下 (àn yī xià), softens a request and suggests a quick action.
Common mistakes
- Using 拿 (ná) to 'take' a person somewhere: 拿 is for objects, so for people use 带 (dài), as in 我带你去 (wǒ dài nǐ qù), 'I'll take you there'.
- Using 关 (guān) to close a book: 关 is for doors, windows and devices, so for a book say 合上 (hé shàng).
Mini dialogue
- A好热啊，可以开一下空调吗？Hǎo rè a, kě yǐ kāi yī xià kōng tiáo ma?It's so hot, could you put the air con on?
- B好，你按一下这个按钮。Hǎo, nǐ àn yī xià zhè ge àn niǔ.Sure, just press this button.
- A开了！窗户要关吗？Kāi le! Chuāng hu yào guān ma?It's on! Shall I shut the window?
- B要，关上吧。Yào, guān shàng ba.Yes, close it.
Example sentences
- 请开一下窗户。Please open the window.
- 出门的时候关灯。Turn the lights off when you go out.
- 打开你的书。Open your book.
- 把书放在桌子上。Put the book on the table.
- 谁拿走了我的杯子？Who took my cup?
- 今天很冷，多穿点儿。It's cold today, wrap up warm.
- 进门请脱鞋。Please take your shoes off when you come in.
- 吃饭前要洗手。Wash your hands before eating.
- 我擦一下桌子。I'll wipe the table.
- 门要推，不要拉。Push the door, don't pull it.
- 请拉一下窗帘。Please draw the curtains.
- 别把垃圾扔在地上。Don't throw rubbish on the ground.
- 我去机场接你。I'll pick you up at the airport.
- 妈妈抱着孩子。Mum is holding the baby.
- 按一下这个按钮。Press this button.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Hands-on verbs speaking island has 8 everyday questions about hands-on verbs to prepare your own answers to.