箝Tone 2

qián ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

箝 · qián

To clamp;

to grip;

to restrain;

to muzzle;

to silence;

to force into submission.

To clampto gripto restrain

Usage highlights

To clamp downTo muzzle speechTo grip tightlyPliers/clampTo restrain and controlForceps

Synonyms

钳— pincers; to clamp; to grip (more common variant)
夹— to clip; to clamp; to press from both sides
制— to control; to restrain

Antonyms

放— to release; to let go
松— to loosen; to relax
自由— freedom; liberty

Usage & contexts

Examples

The carpenter used a clamp to hold the wood (用箝子夹住木头).
The regime tried to muzzle the press (箝制新闻自由).
He used pliers to grip the wire (用钳子箝住电线).

Collocations

To clamp down(箝制)
To muzzle speech(箝口)
To grip tightly(箝紧)
Pliers/clamp(箝子)
To restrain and control(箝束)
Forceps(手术箝)

Idioms

To gag and bind(箝口结舌)
To muzzle and tie(箝口挢舌)
To restrain words and actions(箝语束行)

Cultural background

Originally referred to tools for gripping or clamping, like tongs or pliers.
Metaphorically extended to mean suppressing freedom of speech or thought.
Often used in historical/political contexts regarding control of dissent.

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