牵

牽
qiān
HSK 5
#1,677 most
frequent character
to pull (an animal on a tether)
verb

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

牵 draws a person 大 leading a cow 牛 by a bridle 冖, and first meant 'lead a cow'. The 冖 no longer shows the bridle it once did. From leading a cow came leading a person along, and then involving someone.

Drawn as: person leading cow; bridle

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Example Sentences

我牵着我的狗去散步。
wǒ qiān zháo wǒde gǒu qù sànbù 。
I lead my dog for a walk.
她牵着孩子的手过马路。
tā qiān zháo háizǐ de shǒu guò mǎlù 。
She holds the child's hand to cross the road.
他牵着马，慢慢地走。
tā qiān zháo mǎ ， mànmàndì zǒu 。
He is leading the horse slowly.

Words with similar meanings

引导yǐndǎo
to guide
This word implies a more deliberate act of directing someone or something, often used in a broader sense.
拉lā
to pull
This word emphasizes the physical action of pulling, which can be more aggressive.

Words Starting With 牵

牵制qiān zhì
to control; to curb; to restrict; to impede; to pin down (enemy troops)
牵扯qiān chě
to involve; to implicate

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