揽

• Pinyin: lǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 揽 = 扌(hand) + 览 (view, phonetic) — to embrace/take on

Meaning

To take on; to embrace; to gather. Taking something into one's arms or responsibility.

Can mean physically embracing, taking on tasks or responsibilities, or attracting (customers, business). Also used in the idiom 大包大揽 (to take on everything oneself).

Examples

1. 他一个人揽下了所有的工作。 He took on all the work by himself.
2. 公司想方设法揽客户。 The company is trying every means to attract customers.
3. 别什么事都往自己身上揽。 Don't take everything upon yourself.

Usage Guide

Context: work, business, responsibility

Tone: assertive

Do Say

• 这活儿我揽了。(I'll take on this job.)
• 他喜欢揽功推过。(He likes to claim credit and push blame.)

Don't Say

• 把揽和抱混淆。(揽 implies taking responsibility or embracing abstractly; 抱 is physical holding)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character. 扌(hand) indicates action; 览 (view/survey) provides the sound. Taking in with one's hands.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal