占领
zhànlǐng
The English phrase 'occupy' is translated into Chinese as 占领 (zhànlǐng).
占领 is frequently used to describe the occupation of territories, cities or places by organized forces or armies, typically during a war or conflict.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 占领 is composed of 占 (zhàn), meaning 'to occupy/hold' and 领 (lǐng), meaning 'to lead/command'.
Which one should you use?
While 占领 is used for military or physical occupation of territory, 占用 is used for the occupation of time, space or resources, such as occupying a seat or a time slot. Other variations include 占据, which is common when occupying a position, a seat or a room and 侵占, used when someone occupies something illegally or trespasses on someone else's rights.
How do you pronounce it?
zhànlǐng
Did you know?
- The component 占 (zhàn) is also the same character used in the word for 'divination' or 'fortune telling', suggesting an ancient connection between 'grasping' a destiny and 'grasping' a territory.
- The character 领 in 占领 can also mean 'collar' or 'neck', as it originally depicted a hand holding the neck of another person to lead them.
- Using 占领 to describe taking a seat in a cafe makes the speaker sound like a general invading a country due to the word's heavy military weight.
Examples in context
- 该地区被敌军占领了。The region has been occupied by enemy forces.
- 请不要占据其他人的座位。Please do not occupy someone else's seat.
- 别占用这个浴室那么久。Don't occupy the bathroom for so long.
- 军队占领了这座城市。The army occupied this city.
- 敌军占领了这座城市。dí jūn zhàn lǐng le zhè zuò chéng shì.The enemy army occupied this city.
- 他们试图占领那个小岛。tā men shì tú zhàn lǐng nà ge xiǎo dǎo.They are trying to occupy that small island.
- 那支部队占领了高地。nà zhī bù duì zhàn lǐng le gāo dì.That unit occupied the high ground.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a history lesson.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen伟，你觉得谁占领了那片土地？Wěi, nǐ juéde shéi zhànlǐngle nà piàn tǔdì?Wei, who do you think occupied that land?
- 伟 Wei应该是那支强大的军队。Yīnggāi shì nà zhī qiángdà de jūnduì.It should be that powerful army.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen他们占领这里多久了？Tāmen zhànlǐng zhèlǐ duōjiǔ le?How long have they occupied this place?
- 伟 Wei大约占领了十年。Dàyuē zhànlǐngle shí nián.They occupied it for about ten years.
