掠 (lüè) - To plunder, to rob, to seize & to sweep over, to brush past

掠Tone 4

lüè ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

林伦

掠 · lüè

To plunder, to rob, to seize;

to sweep over, to brush past;

to capture, to take by force.

To plunder, to rob, to seizeto sweep over, to brush pastto capture, to take by force.

Usage highlights

To plunderTo brush pastTo capture and plunderTo invade and plunderTo rob and killTo seize people

Synonyms

  • 抢— to rob, to snatch
  • 夺— to seize, to take by force
  • 劫— to rob, to plunder

Antonyms

  • 给— to give
  • 赠— to donate, to give as gift
  • 还— to return, to give back

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The invaders looted the village (掠夺村庄).
  • A cool breeze brushed past my face (凉风掠过脸庞).
  • The eagle swooped down and seized its prey (老鹰掠过并抓住了猎物).
  • He glanced over the document quickly (他快速掠过文件).

Collocations

  • To plunder(掠夺)
  • To brush past(掠过)
  • To capture and plunder(掠取)
  • To invade and plunder(侵掠)
  • To rob and kill(掠杀)
  • To seize people(掠人)

Idioms

  • To steal jade and burn cities(掠玉焚城)
  • To plunder and kill without restraint(奸淫掠杀)
  • To rob the rich to help the poor(掠富济贫)
  • Flying past and sweeping away(飞掠而过)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with military conquest, invasion, and pillaging during wartime.
  • In literary contexts, can describe swift, light movements like a bird skimming the water or a breeze brushing past.
  • Carries strong negative connotations of violence, theft, and oppression when used in social/political contexts.

FAQ