牵 qiān to drag
to drag; to pull; to lead by the hand; to lead along; to involve
How to remember 牵: 大 big + 冖 cover + 牛 cow = to drag. A big boy hides under a cover from a curious cow, so his little sister has to drag her brave brother.
Component breakdown
牵 = 大 big + 冖 cover + 牛 cow
- 大 big
- 冖 cover
- 牛 cow
A big boy hides under a cover from a curious cow, so his little sister has to drag her brave brother.
How it is used
- To lead by the hand / pull along - 牵手 (qiānshǒu) to hold hands, 牵着狗 leading a dog on a leash.
- Figurative 'to involve/implicate': 牵扯 (qiānchě) / 牵涉 (qiānshè) to involve/drag in, 牵连 to implicate.
- 牵挂 (qiānguà) = to worry about / keep in one's heart (someone far away): 牵挂着家人.
- 牵头 (qiāntóu) = to take the lead (in organizing); 牵制 (qiānzhì) to tie down/hold in check.