抓住
zhuāzhù · HSK 3
grab
✊ 抓 grab + 住 hold-fast = grab-and-hold = clutch/grip
抓 (zhuā) means to grab or seize; 住 (zhù) acts as a resultative meaning the action sticks or holds firm. Together 抓住 means to grab and not let go — clutch, grip, catch hold of.
抓 — hand radical 扌 + 爪 (claw)
A semantic-phonetic compound. The hand radical 扌 gives the meaning—an action done with the hand—while 爪 (claw) supplies both sound and sense, evoking fingers gripping like claws. Together they convey the idea of grabbing, snatching, or scratching.
住 — person radical 亻 + 主 (master/zhǔ, phonetic)
住 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The left side 亻 (person) gives the meaning—something a person does—while 主 supplies the sound, originally 'zhǔ' (master, a lamp standing in place). Together they suggest a person staying put, yielding the senses 'to live, dwell, reside, stop'.