NetChai Chinese

How to Say “Raise your hand” in Chinese

举手
jǔ shǒu
Raise your hand · trad. 舉手
A young student eagerly raises their hand in a classroom, ready to answer a question, illustrating “raise your hand” in Chinese: 举手 (jǔ shǒu)

举手 (jǔ shǒu) means to raise one's hand, typically to ask a question, answer, or get attention in a classroom or meeting setting.

What does 举手 (jǔ shǒu) mean?

举手 (jǔ shǒu) means “raise your hand” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “raise hand.”

When to use it

Neutral and common. It's the standard way to ask someone to raise their hand or to state that one is raising their hand.

How to pronounce it

Sounds roughly like “joo SHOW.” The first syllable has a rising tone, and the second has a third tone, but is often said lighter.

Other ways to say it

  • 请举手qǐng jǔ shǒuplease raise your hand
  • 举手发言jǔ shǒu fā yánraise hand to speak
  • 举手提问jǔ shǒu tí wènraise hand to ask a question

Examples

请大家举手。
qǐng dàjiā jǔ shǒu.
Please everyone raise your hand.
如果你知道答案,请举手。
rúguǒ nǐ zhīdao dá'àn, qǐng jǔ shǒu.
If you know the answer, please raise your hand.
老师说,有问题可以举手。
lǎoshī shuō, yǒu wèntí kěyǐ jǔ shǒu.
The teacher said if you have a question, you can raise your hand.
Pro tip: When you want to get a teacher's or speaker's attention, 举手 is the polite and expected way to do it.

Related phrases

看这里 · Look here跟我读 · Repeat after me大声一点 · A little louder
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