伸手

• Pinyin: shēn shǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 伸 = 亻+ 申 (to stretch, extend — person extending); 手 = pictograph of a hand

Meaning

To stretch out one's hand; to extend an arm; figuratively, to ask for help, money, or favour; to reach for something.

Has both a literal sense (physically extending one's hand) and a figurative sense (asking for resources, favours, or bribes). The figurative use is common in anti-corruption discourse and social commentary.

Examples

1. 孩子伸手从桌上拿了一块饼干。 The child reached out and took a cookie from the table.
2. 遇到困难时不要轻易向他人伸手，要先尝试自己解决。 When you run into difficulties, don’t rush to ask others for help—try to solve it yourself first.
3. 那位官员因为多次向企业伸手索贿而被查处。 The official was investigated and punished for repeatedly reaching out to companies to solicit bribes.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, social, anti-corruption

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他向溺水的孩子伸出了援手，成功将其救上岸。(He extended a helping hand to the drowning child and successfully pulled him ashore.)
• 我们鼓励学生在遇到学习困难时主动向老师伸手求助。(We encourage students to proactively reach out to teachers when they encounter academic difficulties.)

Don't Say

• 伸手 as always negative — 伸手 is neutral in literal use; only the figurative sense of seeking improper gains carries a negative connotation

Origin & History

伸 (to stretch, to extend) + 手 (hand)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal