胁 (xié) - to coerce & to threaten

胁Tone 2

xié ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 月

想信

胁 · xié

to coerce;

to threaten;

side of the body (ribs, armpit);

flank

to coerceto threatenside of the body (ribs, armpit)

Usage highlights

threatencoerceunder duressside of bodyribsintimidate

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was threatened (被威胁) by the gang.
  • The company faced pressure (压力) from competitors.
  • She felt pain in her side (胁部疼痛).
  • The document was signed under duress (胁逼下签字).

Collocations

  • threaten(威胁)
  • coerce(胁迫)
  • under duress(胁逼)
  • side of body(胁部)
  • ribs(胁骨)
  • intimidate(胁制)

Idioms

  • To threaten and lure(威胁利诱)
  • To intimidate and deceive(胁骗)
  • To force submission(胁服)
  • To coerce into compliance(胁从)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, the '胁' area refers to the sides of the body below the armpits, associated with liver and gallbladder meridians.
  • The character carries negative connotations of coercion and intimidation in legal and social contexts.
  • Historically used in military contexts to describe flanking maneuvers and strategic pressure.

FAQ