招

• Pinyin: zhāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 招 = 扌 (hand) + 召 (summon, phonetic)

Meaning

To recruit or attract; also a measure word for moves or tricks.

As a verb, means to beckon, attract, or recruit people. As a noun, refers to a move or trick, especially in martial arts or chess. Common expressions include 招手 (wave/beckon), 招人 (recruit), 出招 (make a move), 花招 (trick).

Examples

1. 公司正在招一批有经验的程序员，你要不要试试？ The company is recruiting a batch of experienced programmers — do you want to give it a try?
2. 这位武术大师的每一招都干净利落，毫无多余动作。 Every move this martial arts master makes is clean and precise, with no unnecessary motions.
3. 别跟他玩心眼，他的鬼点子多着呢，花招比你多。 Don't try to play mind games with him — he has plenty of tricks up his sleeve, more than you.

Usage Guide

Context: business, martial arts, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你有什么好招吗？(Do you have any good tricks/ideas?)
• 这家店正在招服务员。(This shop is recruiting waiters.)

Don't Say

• 他招了一个苹果。(Wrong verb — use 拿 or 买 for getting an apple)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character combining 扌 (hand radical) and 召 (summon, phonetic). Originally meant to beckon with the hand.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal