抢劫
qiǎngjié
The English verb 'rob' is translated into Chinese as 抢劫 (qiǎngjié).
抢劫 is used to describe the criminal act of robbery or mugging, often involving force or the threat of force.
Meaning: to commit robbery (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 抢 (qiǎng), meaning to snatch or grab and 劫 (jié), meaning to rob or plunder.
Which one should you use?
While 抢劫 refers to the formal crime of robbery, the single character 抢 (qiǎng) can simply mean to snatch or grab something in a more general, non-criminal context.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that a robbery has already occurred, the aspect particle 了 (le) is often added after the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
qiǎngjié
Did you know?
- In Chinese internet slang, the term 抢沙发 literally means to 'rob the sofa' but actually means to be the first person to post a comment on a new thread or article.
- In Buddhist terminology, 劫 (kālpa) refers to an incredibly long period of time, often described as the time it takes for a mountain of rock to be worn down by a silk cloth.
- The character 抢 (qiǎng) is used in the phrase 抢红包 (qiǎng hóngbāo), which means to 'grab' or 'compete for' digital red envelopes during Lunar New Year.
Examples in context
- 罗伯，请你把文件递给我好吗？Rob, could you please pass me the document?
- 嘿，小罗，我们去喝杯咖啡吧！Hey Rob, let's go grab a cup of coffee!
- 那个坏人想要抢劫银行。Nàge huàirén xiǎngyào qiǎngjié yínháng.That bad person wants to rob a bank.
- 有人在深夜试图抢劫路人。Yǒurén zài shēnyè shìtú qiǎngjié lùrén.Someone tried to rob pedestrians late at night.
- 警察正在调查这起抢劫案。Jǐngchá zhèngzài diàochá zhè qǐ qiǎngjié àn.The police are investigating this robbery case.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a news report on the street.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你看新闻了吗？Nǐ kàn xīnwén le ma?Did you see the news?
- 俊杰 Junjie看了，有人在车站抢劫吗？Kàn le, yǒurén zài chēzhàn qiǎngjié ma?I did, did someone rob someone at the station?
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，发生得很突然。Shì de, fāshēng de hěn tūrán.Yes, it happened very suddenly.
- 俊杰 Junjie那真是太可怕了。Nà zhēnshi tài kěpà le.That is truly terrifying.
