逼 (bī) - to compel & to force

逼Tone 1

bī ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

逼 · bī

to compel;

to force;

to press;

to approach;

to be close to;

to narrow;

to harass;

to threaten;

to extort.

to compelto forceto press

Usage highlights

to forceto approachto compelto press for paymentto extort a confessionto corner

Synonyms

  • 迫— to compel; to force
  • 压— to pressure; to oppress
  • 强— to force; to compel

Antonyms

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

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The deadline is approaching (逼近).
  • He was forced to resign (被迫辞职).
  • The situation is very urgent (形势很逼人).
  • The police interrogated the suspect (逼问嫌疑人).

Collocations

  • to force(逼迫)
  • to approach(逼近)
  • to compel(逼使)
  • to press for payment(逼债)
  • to extort a confession(逼供)
  • to corner(逼入绝境)

Idioms

  • Forcing someone to jump over a wall(狗急跳墙)
  • Forcing a good girl into prostitution(逼良为娼)
  • Hard pressed on all sides(步步紧逼)
  • Forcing someone to the limit(逼上梁山)
  • To corner and humiliate(逼人太甚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character carries strong connotations of coercion and pressure, often negative.
  • In historical contexts, it appears in stories about oppression and forced actions.
  • The phrase '逼上梁山' refers to being forced to rebel, from the classic 'Water Margin'.

FAQ