脅 (xié) - To coerce, threaten, intimidate & to force someone to do something against their

脅Tone 2

xié ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

想信

脅 · xié

To coerce, threaten, intimidate;

to force someone to do something against their will;

also refers to the armpit or side of the body in classical usage.

To coerce, threaten, intimidateto force someone to do something against theiralso refers to the armpit or side of

Usage highlights

ThreatenCoerceIntimidateKidnap/hold under duressSide of the bodyArmpit

Synonyms

  • 逼— to force, compel
  • 迫— to pressure, compel
  • 吓— to frighten, intimidate

Antonyms

  • 劝— to persuade, advise
  • 诱— to entice, lure
  • 请— to request, invite

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The criminal threatened the witness (威胁 witness).
  • They were forced to sign the contract under duress (胁迫 sign).
  • He was intimidated into silence (胁逼 silence).
  • The kidnappers made threats (胁持 kidnappers).

Collocations

  • Threaten(威胁)
  • Coerce(胁迫)
  • Intimidate(胁逼)
  • Kidnap/hold under duress(胁持)
  • Side of the body(胁部)
  • Armpit(胁腋)

Idioms

  • Threaten with power(威迫利胁)
  • Yield to threats(胁肩谄笑)
  • Forced to comply(胁从罔治)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese law, '胁从' refers to accomplices who were coerced into crime, often treated with more leniency.
  • The character originally depicted the ribs or sides of the body, later extended to mean coercion through physical threat.
  • In martial arts contexts, refers to vulnerable areas under the arms that can be targeted.

FAQ