抽

• Pinyin: chōu
• Hanzi breakdown: 抽 = 扌(hand) + 由 (from, phonetic) — a hand pulling something out

Meaning

To draw out; to pull out; to extract. The act of pulling something from within a space.

A versatile verb with several common uses: (1) to draw out or extract (抽出时间 = find time), (2) to smoke (抽烟), (3) to whip or lash, (4) to shrink (cloth). Very frequently used in daily speech with various objects and in many compound words.

Examples

1. 他从口袋里抽出一张纸巾擦了擦手。 He pulled out a tissue from his pocket and wiped his hands.
2. 你能不能抽出一点时间帮我看看这篇文章？ Can you find a bit of time to help me look at this article?
3. 抽烟对身体不好，你应该戒掉。 Smoking is bad for your health — you should quit.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, action

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请从这里面抽一张卡片。(Please draw a card from here.)
• 我尽量抽时间去看你。(I'll try to find time to visit you.)

Don't Say

• 我抽了一本书从书架 (The word order should be 我从书架上抽了一本书 — the location comes before 抽, not after)

Origin & History

抽 = 扌(hand radical) + 由 (from or through, phonetic). The hand radical indicates a pulling action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal