抢 qiǎng urgent
urgent; rushed; to rob; to rush; to grab
How to remember 抢: 扌 hand + 仓 granary = urgent. With a storm coming, every neighbour lends a hand to fill the granary, and the whole harvest feels urgent.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
抢 = 扌 hand + 仓 granary
- 扌 hand meaning
- 仓 granary sound
With a storm coming, every neighbour lends a hand to fill the granary, and the whole harvest feels urgent.
How it came to be
The hand gives the meaning and the granary gives the sound.
How it is used
- Verb for taking by force or by speed: 抢劫 qiǎngjié "to rob," 抢救 qiǎngjiù "to rush to rescue (a patient, a situation)."
- Also covers competing to be first: 抢着做 qiǎngzhe zuò "to rush/vie to do something," 抢购 qiǎnggòu "to rush to buy."
- 抢红包 qiǎng hóngbāo "grab the red envelope" is everyday WeChat culture, not literal robbery.
- Distinguish from 偷 tōu "to steal": 抢 is open and forceful, 偷 is secretive.