In 15 Sekunden
- Physically reaching for an object or extending your arm.
- Metaphorically asking someone for money or help.
- Commonly used to describe dependency on parents or others.
- Avoid using it for professional networking 'outreach'.
Bedeutung
It literally means to extend your hand to reach for something, but it often describes asking others for help or money.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6At the dinner table
他伸手拿了一个包子。
He reached out and took a steamed bun.
Talking about a spoiled friend
他二十多岁了，还向父母伸手。
He is in his twenties and still reaches out to his parents (for money).
In a formal speech about kindness
当别人遇到困难时，请伸出手。
When others face difficulties, please reach out your hand.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is deeply tied to the concept of 'Face' and self-sufficiency. While physically neutral, using it metaphorically often highlights a power dynamic between the giver and the receiver. It has gained new life in the digital age to describe 'lazy' internet users.
The 'Help' Upgrade
If you want to sound more sophisticated when offering help, use `伸出援手` (shēn chū yuán shǒu). It's the 'pro' version of reaching out.
Don't be a 'Partier'
Calling someone a `伸手党` (shēn shǒu dǎng) is a mild insult. It means they are lazy and just want free answers.
In 15 Sekunden
- Physically reaching for an object or extending your arm.
- Metaphorically asking someone for money or help.
- Commonly used to describe dependency on parents or others.
- Avoid using it for professional networking 'outreach'.
What It Means
At its heart, 伸手 is a physical action. You do it when you reach for a coffee mug. You do it when you grab a door handle. But in conversation, it takes on a deeper flavor. It often implies the act of asking for something from someone else. Think of it as the 'reaching out' phase of a request. It can be a simple physical move or a metaphor for dependency.
How To Use It
You use 伸手 as a verb. If you want to grab a snack, you 伸手. If you are asking your parents for a monthly allowance, you are also 伸手. It is a very versatile building block. You can add result complements like 伸手拿 (reach and take). It feels very active and direct. Use it when the physical or metaphorical hand is moving toward a goal.
When To Use It
Use it in daily life for physical actions. 'He reached out his hand to catch the ball.' Use it socially when discussing people who rely on others. It is common when talking about kids asking parents for money. You might use it in a meeting when someone 'reaches out' for resources. It works well in stories to describe a character's hesitation or eagerness.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for 'reaching out' in the networking sense. In English, we 'reach out' to a contact via email. In Chinese, use 联系 for that. 伸手 is too physical or implies asking for a favor. Avoid using it with superiors if you are asking for a raise. It might sound a bit too blunt or like you are begging. Keep it literal or use it for close relationships.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on self-reliance. The phrase 伸手要钱 (reaching out for money) carries a bit of a sting. It suggests someone isn't standing on their own two feet. However, 伸手不打笑脸人 is a famous proverb. It means you can't hit someone who is smiling at you. It shows that kindness is a shield. Even a simple hand gesture carries heavy social weight in China.
Common Variations
The most common tag-along is 伸手党. This is internet slang for people who ask for answers without searching first. We all know that one friend in the group chat! Another is 白伸手, which implies asking for something for free. You will also hear 缩手 (to pull back the hand) as the opposite. It means getting cold feet or quitting.
Nutzungshinweise
In its literal sense, it is neutral and A2 level. In its metaphorical sense (asking for things), it is slightly informal and can be derogatory depending on the tone.
The 'Help' Upgrade
If you want to sound more sophisticated when offering help, use `伸出援手` (shēn chū yuán shǒu). It's the 'pro' version of reaching out.
Don't be a 'Partier'
Calling someone a `伸手党` (shēn shǒu dǎng) is a mild insult. It means they are lazy and just want free answers.
The Smiling Face Rule
Remember the proverb `伸手不打笑脸人`. If you mess up in China, a sincere smile and an apology go a long way!
Beispiele
6他伸手拿了一个包子。
He reached out and took a steamed bun.
A purely physical description of the action.
他二十多岁了，还向父母伸手。
He is in his twenties and still reaches out to his parents (for money).
Here it implies financial dependency.
当别人遇到困难时，请伸出手。
When others face difficulties, please reach out your hand.
A metaphorical use meaning to offer help.
别当伸手党，自己去百度一下。
Don't be a 'hand-reacher'; go Baidu it yourself.
Using the slang '伸手党' for someone who won't do their own work.
他向她伸手，邀请她跳舞。
He reached out his hand to her, inviting her to dance.
Describes a polite and romantic gesture.
不要随便向陌生人伸手。
Don't just reach out your hand to strangers.
Common advice given to children for safety.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best word to describe someone asking for money.
他经常向家里___要钱。
`伸手` is the standard expression for reaching out to ask for resources or money.
Complete the physical action sentence.
小猫___够不着桌上的鱼。
While `伸手` is for humans, for a cat (小猫), you would use `伸爪` (extend claws/paws). This tests your understanding of the '伸' action!
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of '伸手'
Asking friends for a fry
伸手拿吃的
General physical action
向窗外伸手
Offering humanitarian aid
伸出援手
When to use 伸手
Grabbing an object
伸手拿书
Asking for money
向父母伸手
Offering help
伸出援手
Internet Slang
伸手党
Aufgabensammlung
2 Aufgaben他经常向家里___要钱。
`伸手` is the standard expression for reaching out to ask for resources or money.
小猫___够不着桌上的鱼。
While `伸手` is for humans, for a cat (小猫), you would use `伸爪` (extend claws/paws). This tests your understanding of the '伸' action!
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, that's an English idiom. In Chinese, use 联系 (lián xì) or 对接 (duì jiē). 伸手 is too physical or implies asking for a handout.
The physical action isn't rude. However, saying someone 'always reaches out their hand' (总是伸手) implies they are needy or greedy.
It refers to people who ask for information or files online without trying to find them first. It's like saying 'Let me Google that for you'.
Use the four-character idiom 伸出援手 (shēn chū yuán shǒu). It's very common in news and formal speeches.
Usually no. For animals, you'd use 伸爪 (shēn zhuǎ - extend paws). 手 is specifically for human hands.
Yes. 伸手 is the general action. 把手伸出来 is a specific command, like a doctor asking you to show your hand for an exam.
Physically, it's 缩手 (suō shǒu - to pull back the hand). Metaphorically, it can mean washing your hands of a situation.
Yes, like 牵手 (holding hands), 伸手 can be the start of a romantic gesture, like asking someone to walk with you.
Often, yes. 向人伸手 usually implies you are asking for a loan or a gift because you can't provide for yourself.
Yes, to describe a foul or a specific move, like 伸手阻挡 (reaching out to block someone).
Verwandte Redewendungen
伸出援手 (To lend a helping hand)
伸手党 (Someone who asks for handouts/answers)
白手起家 (To start from scratch/empty hands)
举手之劳 (A helping hand that requires little effort)
