摘 zhāi to pick
to pick; to pluck; to select; to take; to remove; to take off
How to remember 摘: 扌 hand + 啇 stalk = to pick. On grandpa's farm the little girl stretches out her hand and pulls the cherry's stalk, proud to be allowed to pick fruit herself.
Component breakdown
摘 = 扌 hand + 啇 stalk
- 扌 hand
- 啇 stalk
On grandpa's farm the little girl stretches out her hand and pulls the cherry's stalk, proud to be allowed to pick fruit herself.
How it is used
- For removing something worn on the head, face, or hands: 摘眼镜 zhāi yǎnjìng "take off glasses," 摘帽子 "take off a hat."
- Also literal picking: 摘苹果 zhāi píngguǒ "pick apples."
- Contrast with 脱 tuō, used for taking off clothing and shoes - 摘 covers accessories, 脱 covers garments.
- 摘要 zhāiyào "summary/abstract" extends "picking out" to picking out the key points of a text.