夺
duó · HSK 6
to seize
✊ 夺 = 大 (big) + 寸 (hand/inch) — a big hand snatching
Originally a hand grabbing a bird (隹) that flies away — the bird escaped but the hand still grasps. Modern form simplifies to 大 over 寸, a big forceful hand seizing what it can reach.
夺 — big 大 + short-tailed bird 隹 + hand 寸
Originally written 奪, showing a hand (寸) seizing a bird (隹) from someone's grasp (大), depicting the act of snatching away. The simplified form 夺 drops the bird component but keeps the meaning of seizing, taking by force, or contending for something.