歼 (jiān) - to annihilate & to exterminate

歼Tone 1

jiān ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 歹

嘉健

歼 · jiān

to annihilate;

to exterminate;

to wipe out;

to destroy completely.

to annihilateto exterminateto wipe out

Usage highlights

annihilateannihilationfighter aircraftwipe out completelyencircle and annihilateattack and destroy

Synonyms

  • 灭— destroy; extinguish
  • 除— eliminate; remove
  • 毁— destroy; ruin

Antonyms

  • 生— live; give birth
  • 救— save; rescue
  • 保— protect; preserve

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The army annihilated the enemy forces (歼灭敌军).
  • They wiped out the entire battalion (全歼一个营).
  • The goal is to completely exterminate the pests (彻底歼除害虫).
  • The squadron shot down three enemy planes (歼敌机三架).

Collocations

  • annihilate(歼灭)
  • annihilation(歼击)
  • fighter aircraft(歼击机)
  • wipe out completely(全歼)
  • encircle and annihilate(围歼)
  • attack and destroy(攻歼)

Idioms

  • To wipe out the enemy to the last man(聚而歼之)
  • Encircle and annihilate(围而歼之)
  • Destroy completely, leave none behind(全歼不留)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'to kill' or 'to destroy', with the '歹' radical indicating death or bad fortune.
  • Used in military contexts to describe complete destruction of enemy forces.
  • In modern usage, appears in military terminology like '歼击机' (fighter aircraft).

FAQ