HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

我去银行取钱。
Wǒ qù yínháng qǔ qián.
I go to the bank to get money.
请取你的书。
Qǐng qǔ nǐ de shū.
Please take your book.
他取了一个新名字。
Tā qǔle yī gè xīn míngzi.
He took a new name.
我去取快递。
Wǒ qù qǔ kuàidì.
I go to pick up the package.
他取了一杯水。
Tā qǔ le yī bēi shuǐ.
He took a glass of water.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 取 as 'to fetch' something you're entitled to—imagine picking up (取) a package you ordered online. The character looks like an ear (耳) with a hand (又) grabbing it, symbolizing taking something by hand.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in tone and used in both formal and informal contexts, as well as in spoken and written Chinese. Common contexts include daily activities like taking items (e.g., 取钱 for withdrawing money), administrative processes (e.g., 取票 for picking up tickets), or abstract actions (e.g., 取名字 for choosing a name).

📖 Grammar Points

取 is often used as a transitive verb followed by a direct object (e.g., 取行李 for taking luggage). It can also be part of compound verbs like 取消 (to cancel) or 取代 (to replace), where it combines with other characters to form specific meanings. In the example sentence, it's used in the pattern 不需要取票 (don't need to take tickets).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In modern China, 取 is frequently associated with technology and convenience, such as in the example where train travel no longer requires physically taking tickets due to digital ID systems. This reflects broader trends toward efficiency and digitalization in daily life.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 拿 (ná), which means 'to take' or 'to hold' in a more general, physical sense, 取 emphasizes obtaining something that is often prepared or intended for you, like from a system or service. 得 (dé) means 'to get' or 'to obtain' but is more abstract and often used for achievements or results.

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