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
抢 = 扌 hand + 仓 granary
- 扌 hand
- 仓 granary
With a storm coming, every neighbour lends a hand to fill the granary, and the whole harvest feels urgent.
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.