Meaning
把握 means to have a firm grasp on something, either literally or figuratively. As a verb, it means to grasp opportunities, understand situations thoroughly, or control circumstances. As a noun, it refers to the degree of certainty or confidence one has about something succeeding.
Usage
Commonly used in both spoken and written Mandarin. Often appears in phrases like 有把握 (to be confident/certain) or 把握机会 (to seize opportunities). The noun usage frequently appears with 有 or 没有 to indicate presence or absence of confidence. More formal than casual conversation words.
Examples
- 01你有把握通过这次考试吗？?Are you confident you can pass this exam?
- 02我们要把握好每一个学习的机会。.We must seize every opportunity to learn.
Characters
Common collocations
- 有把握to be confident/certain
- 没把握not confident/uncertain
- 把握机会to seize an opportunity
- 把握时机to grasp the right moment
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters originally relate to holding or grasping with the hand. The combination emphasizes a firm, secure grip, which extended metaphorically to mean having control or certainty about something.