手 Stroke Order — How to Write 手
手 is written in 4 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 手, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
手 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- shǒu
Meanings of 手 in Chinese
1
shǒu手
The human hand, used for holding and operating tools, or referring to the act of handling things; can also describe a situation as difficult to manage.
这个问题有点棘手，我们得想个好办法。
This problem is a bit tricky; we'll have to come up with a good solution.
To hold or possess; each person having or being supplied with something.
会议资料，人手一份。
Meeting materials, everyone has a copy.
Refers to something personally written or created by someone, such as their handwriting, manuscript, or a personal note.
这份珍贵的手迹是他留给我们的宝贵遗产。
This precious handwriting is the valuable legacy he left us.
skill, ability, technique, method; a means or trick.
这位画家的手法非常独特，每一幅作品都充满了生命力。
This painter's technique is very unique; every piece of work is full of vitality.
A person involved in or skilled at a particular activity, often an expert or adept in their field.
她是一位生产能手，每年都能超额完成任务。
She is a production ace and always exceeds her targets annually.
Small, handy, and easy to hold or operate, often referring to a compact item.
这款手机很小巧，单手操作非常方便。
This smartphone is very compact, making it very convenient for one-handed operation.
Common Words and Phrases with 手
1
A ceremonial tablet held by officials in ancient China during audiences with the emperor or superiors.
那位年迈的学者在讲述古代礼仪时，特意展示了一个仿制的手版，让大家了解它的用途。
When the elderly scholar lectured on ancient etiquette, he specifically showed a replica of a 'shouban' (ceremonial tablet) to help everyone understand its use.
2
Palm of the hand; a paddle used for corporal punishment; a prototype.
小时候，我因为调皮没少挨妈妈的手板
When I was little, I often got hit by my mother's paddle because I was naughty.
3
The upper limb of the human body, extending from the shoulder to the hand.
她举起手臂，准备投篮。
She raised her arm, ready to shoot the basketball.
4
One's unique style or skill, often referring to handwriting, painting, literary ability, or a grand manner of doing things.
这次慈善捐款活动，参与人数众多，规模宏大，真是一次大手笔。
This charity donation event, with its numerous participants and grand scale, was truly a significant undertaking.
5
A device worn on the wrist to tell time.
他收到一块漂亮的手表作为生日礼物。
He received a beautiful watch as a birthday present.
6
7
A handbook, often a small notebook used for keeping records, accounts, or field data.
他总是随身携带一本小手簿，以便随时记录下重要的想法和灵感。
He always carries a small notebook with him to jot down important thoughts and inspirations at any time.
8
Always holding a book; to be very studious or deeply absorbed in reading.
小明从小就酷爱阅读，每次见到他，总是手不释卷，因此积累了丰富的知识。
Xiao Ming has loved reading since he was a child; whenever you see him, he's always got a book in hand, thus accumulating a wealth of knowledge.
9
A handbook or manual providing information, instructions, or a record for a specific topic.
请查阅产品使用手册，了解如何操作这款设备。
Please refer to the product manual to understand how to operate this device.
10
A hand-written copy of a book or document.
图书馆里收藏了许多珍贵的手抄本。
The library collects many valuable manuscripts.
11
12
to establish or create with one's own hands; personally founded/created
这家小店是爷爷手创的，凝聚了他一生的心血
This small shop was personally founded by my grandfather, embodying his life's dedication.
13
To cure an illness quickly and effectively, indicating superb medical skills.
张医生医术精湛，无论是多顽固的疾病，他总是手到病除，深受患者信赖
Dr. Zhang's medical skills are superb; no matter how stubborn the illness, he always cures it quickly, earning the deep trust of his patients.
14
To achieve something with great ease and certainty.
对他来说，解决这个难题简直是手到擒来
For him, solving this difficult problem is a piece of cake.
15
a portable battery-powered electric lamp
停电时，我用手电筒找到了蜡烛。
When the power went out, I used a flashlight to find the candles.
16
to personally formulate or establish
这位经验丰富的项目经理，亲手定下了详细的施工方案，确保工程顺利进行
The experienced project manager personally drafted the detailed construction plan, ensuring the smooth progress of the project.
More words with 手
- gē歌shǒu手singer
- jí棘shǒu手Difficult to handle; troublesome.
- qí骑shǒu手rider, delivery driver
- qiǎo巧shǒu手skilled hand, artisan
- fú扶shǒu手handrail, armrest
- fù副shǒu手assistant, deputy
- góng拱shǒu手to cup one's hands, to salute (Chinese style)
- huī挥shǒu手wave
- tú徒shǒu手bare-handed; empty-handed
- yòu右shǒu手right hand
- zhù助shǒu手assistant
- pá扒shǒu手pickpocket
- bǎ把shǒu手handle
- bà罢shǒu手to stop; to give up
- bān扳shǒu手wrench, spanner
- chán缠shǒu手Troublesome; knotty; sticky.
- còu凑shǒu手get enough hands, be readily available
- dào到shǒu手received, in hand
- huán还shǒu手Fight back
- hào号shǒu手bugler, trumpeter
Idioms with 手
- shǒu手gāo高shǒu手dī低uneven distribution by hand
- shǒu手gāo高yǎn眼dī低ambitious but short-sighted
- shǒu手huāng慌jiǎo脚luàn乱flustered and disorganized
- shǒu手huāng慌jiǎo脚máng忙flustered and hurried
- shǒu手huī挥mù目sòng送act with perfect coordination
- shǒu手jí疾yǎn眼kuài快quick hands, quick eyes
- shǒu手jiǎo脚gān干jìng净to be incorruptible and honest
- shǒu手líng零jiǎo脚suì碎light-fingered; petty theft
- shǒu手máng忙jiǎo脚luàn乱flustered and disorganized
- shǒu手qǐ起dāo刀luò落act swiftly and decisively
- shǒu手tóu头bù不biàn便to be short of money
- shǒu手wú无cùn寸tiě铁unarmed and defenceless
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Open the tool →Questions about 手
What does 手 mean in Chinese?
手 (shǒu) means “To hold or possess” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 手?
手 is pronounced shǒu in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 手 have?
手 has 4 strokes.
How do you write 手?
手 is written in 4 strokes, starting from the radical 手. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 手?
The radical of 手 is 手, and 手 is a pictograph.