襲 (xí) - To attack by surprise & to raid

襲Tone 2

xí ｜ 22 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

襲 · xí

To attack by surprise;

to raid;

to inherit;

to follow a pattern;

to carry on as before;

to put on (clothing).

To attack by surpriseto raidto inherit

Usage highlights

Surprise attackInheritFollow conventionCopy mechanicallyRaidEncroach upon

Synonyms

  • 攻— to attack
  • 击— to strike
  • 承— to inherit

Antonyms

  • 守— to defend
  • 退— to retreat

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The enemy launched a surprise attack (袭击).
  • He inherited the family business (承袭).
  • She put on a light jacket (袭了一件外套).
  • The tradition has been passed down for generations (沿袭传统).

Collocations

  • Surprise attack(袭击)
  • Inherit(承袭)
  • Follow convention(沿袭)
  • Copy mechanically(抄袭)
  • Raid(侵袭)
  • Encroach upon(袭扰)

Idioms

  • Launch a pincer attack(左右夹袭)
  • Attack the east while sounding the west(声东袭西)
  • A sudden change of heart(袭心之变)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In historical military context, 袭 often describes stealthy or surprise tactics.
  • In inheritance context, it refers to receiving titles, positions, or traditions from predecessors.
  • The character's structure with 龍 (dragon) and 衣 (clothing) suggests a covering or enveloping action.

FAQ