举手

• Pinyin: jǔ shǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 举 (jǔ) — to raise, to lift; 手 (shǒu) — hand

Meaning

To raise one's hand. The action of lifting a hand, typically to ask a question, volunteer, or vote.

Most commonly used in classroom settings when students want to answer a question or ask something. Also used in meetings for voting or in public settings to get attention.

Examples

1. 老师问问题的时候，很多学生举手了。 When the teacher asked a question, many students raised their hands.
2. 请举手回答问题。 Please raise your hand to answer the question.
3. 如果你同意，请举手。 If you agree, please raise your hand.

Usage Guide

Context: classroom, meetings, voting

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 有问题请举手。(Please raise your hand if you have a question.)
• 她第一个举手回答。(She was the first to raise her hand to answer.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'举手打招呼' (Don't use 举手 for waving hello — use 挥手 or 招手 for waving)

Origin & History

Verb-object compound of 举 (to raise, to lift) and 手 (hand). A straightforward descriptive compound.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal