把握

• Pinyin: bǎ wò
• Hanzi breakdown: 把 = 扌(hand) + 巴 (cling); 握 = 扌(hand) + 屋 (house, phonetic), meaning to grip

Meaning

To grasp; to seize; certainty; confidence. Can mean to take hold of an opportunity, or to have confidence in an outcome.

As a verb, means to seize or take hold of something (often abstract, like opportunities or time). As a noun, refers to confidence or certainty about an outcome. The phrase 有把握 means 'to be confident.'

Examples

1. 我们要好好把握这次学习的机会。 We should make the most of this learning opportunity.
2. 你对明天的考试有把握吗？ Are you confident about tomorrow's exam?
3. 他总是能把握住每一个重要的机会。 He can always seize every important opportunity.

Usage Guide

Context: work, academic, motivation

Tone: encouraging

Do Say

• 你要把握好自己的时间。(You should make good use of your time.)
• 我没有太大的把握能通过面试。(I don't have much confidence that I can pass the interview.)

Don't Say

• 把握这本书 (Don't use 把握 for physically holding objects — use 拿 or 握 instead; 把握 is for abstract things like opportunities)

Origin & History

Compound of 把 (to hold, grasp) and 握 (to grip), together meaning to firmly take hold of something, extended to abstract concepts.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal