How to Say ‘Take this.’ in Traditional Chinese
拿著。
💬 Usage Tip: A natural phrase when handing something over. [著] here means “keep/hold onto it,” not “wear.”
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Often said while giving snacks, fruit, or [紅包]. The expected response is [謝謝] (and usually taking with both hands).
Word-by-Word Breakdown
拿
[ná]
to take; to hold
Here it’s used as an instruction: “take it / hold onto it,” often when handing something to someone (like a red envelope).
紅包你先拿著，回家再打開。
Hold onto the red envelope first; open it after you get home.
著
[zhù]
(verb particle) indicating a continuing state; “-ing / keep (holding)”; “take it and keep it”
Added after a verb to show the action/state continues. In “拿著,” it’s a natural way to say “take it/hold it (for now).”
這個紅包你拿著，別客氣。
Take this red envelope—don’t be shy.
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