攘 (rǎng) - To repel & to expel

攘Tone 3

rǎng ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

攘 · rǎng

To repel;

to expel;

to reject;

to resist;

to push up one's sleeves;

to seize;

to snatch.

To repelto expelto reject

Usage highlights

Repel foreign aggressionRoll up sleevesReject barbariansResist and eliminateSeize propertyExclude heterodoxy

Synonyms

  • 抗— to resist; to oppose
  • 拒— to refuse; to reject
  • 斥— to exclude; to repel
  • 逐— to expel; to drive out

Antonyms

  • 纳— to accept; to admit
  • 容— to tolerate; to contain
  • 迎— to welcome; to receive

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The army repelled the invaders (攘外).
  • He rolled up his sleeves to work (攘臂).
  • They rejected the barbarians (攘夷).
  • The country resisted foreign aggression (攘除).

Collocations

  • Repel foreign aggression(攘外)
  • Roll up sleeves(攘臂)
  • Reject barbarians(攘夷)
  • Resist and eliminate(攘除)
  • Seize property(攘夺)
  • Exclude heterodoxy(攘斥)

Idioms

  • Repel foreign aggression and pacify domestic troubles(安内攘外)
  • Steal chickens and dogs(攘鸡)
  • Exclude heterodoxy and respect Confucianism(攘斥佛老)
  • Roll up sleeves and bare arms(攘袂扼腕)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with Confucian doctrine of distinguishing Chinese from barbarians (华夷之辨).
  • The concept of '攘夷' (rejecting barbarians) was significant in late Qing dynasty reform movements.
  • The character embodies both physical action (pushing sleeves) and ideological exclusion.

FAQ