Structure 拿…来说 (ná... láishuō): Take... for example / Speaking of...

Pattern

• 拿 + Topic + 来说，Clause
• 就拿 + Topic + 来说，Clause

Usage

• The structure 拿…来说 introduces a concrete example to analyze or illustrate a broader point, equivalent to "take... for example" or "speaking of...".
• It usually stands at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma and an explanatory clause.
• Here, 拿 functions as a preposition rather than the physical verb "to hold".
• It is often preceded by 就 (就拿…来说 — "just take... for example") and has close variants such as 拿…来讲 and 拿…来看, as well as the more formal written equivalent 以…为例.
• Do not omit 来 in 来说.

Examples

1. 1

   拿我们班来说，超过一半的同学都通过了HSK五级。

   Ná wǒmen bān láishuō, chāoguò yībàn de tóngxué dōu tōngguò le HSK wǔ jí.

   Take our class for example: more than half of the classmates have passed HSK Level 5.

2. 2

   拿汉字来说，每个字都有自己的故事。

   Ná Hànzì láishuō, měi gè zì dōu yǒu zìjǐ de gùshi.

   Speaking of Chinese characters, every character has its own story.

3. 3

   就拿今天来说，他又迟到了。

   Jiù ná jīntiān láishuō, tā yòu chídào le.