挎

• Pinyin: kuà
• Hanzi breakdown: 挎 = 扌(hand) + 夸 — to carry on arm

Meaning

To carry on the arm or over the shoulder; to sling. Carrying something by hanging it from the arm or shoulder.

Used for carrying bags on the arm, slinging bags over the shoulder, or wearing things cross-body. Different from 背 (carry on back) or 提 (carry by hand).

Examples

1. 她挎着一个名牌包走进来。 She walked in carrying a designer bag on her arm.
2. 老奶奶挎着篮子去市场买菜。 The grandmother carried a basket on her arm to the market to buy vegetables.
3. 他肩上挎着一把吉他。 He had a guitar slung over his shoulder.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, fashion, carrying

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 她挎着手提包。(She's carrying a handbag on her arm.)
• 挎包比背包更方便拿东西。(A shoulder bag is more convenient than a backpack for getting things out.)

Don't Say

• 用挎形容背在背上，如'他挎着书包上学'。(If the bag is on the back, use 背 — 挎 is for arm or shoulder)

Origin & History

Related to 跨 (to straddle). Describes the action of something hanging across the body.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal