榨 (zhà) - To press, extract, or squeeze out liquid or & to exploit or extort

榨Tone 4

zhà ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

榨 · zhà

To press, extract, or squeeze out liquid or oil;

to exploit or extort;

refers to pressing devices like oil presses.

To press, extract, or squeeze out liquid orto exploit or extortrefers to pressing devices like oil presses.

Usage highlights

Extract oilSqueeze juiceJuicerOil pressExtort moneySqueeze dry

Synonyms

  • 压— to press, compress
  • 挤— to squeeze, crowd
  • 拧— to wring, twist

Antonyms

  • 给— to give, provide
  • 施— to bestow, grant
  • 放— to release, let go

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • They extract oil from peanuts (榨花生油).
  • This machine squeezes juice from oranges (榨橙汁).
  • He felt exploited by the company (被公司榨取).
  • They use a press to make soybean oil (用榨油机榨豆油).

Collocations

  • Extract oil(榨油)
  • Squeeze juice(榨汁)
  • Juicer(榨汁机)
  • Oil press(榨油机)
  • Extort money(榨取钱财)
  • Squeeze dry(榨干)

Idioms

  • Drain the pond to get all the fish (竭泽而渔) - metaphor for excessive exploitation
  • Squeeze every ounce of strength(榨尽力气)
  • Exploitative capitalism(榨取性资本主义)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with traditional oil extraction methods using mechanical presses.
  • In modern context, often carries negative connotations when referring to exploitation of people or resources.
  • The character reflects traditional agricultural processing techniques that were vital for food production.

FAQ