恐怖分子
kǒngbùfènzǐ
The English word "terrorist" is translated into Mandarin as 恐怖分子 (kǒngbùfènzǐ). Wiktionary also lists 恐怖份子 (kǒngbùfènzi) and 恐怖主義者 / 恐怖主义者 (kǒngbùzhǔyìzhě).
Meaning: person who uses terror as a weapon in a political struggle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 恐怖分子 | kǒngbùfènzǐ |
| 恐怖份子 | kǒngbùfènzi |
| 恐怖主義者 / 恐怖主义者 | kǒngbùzhǔyìzhě |
The term refers to a person who uses terror as a weapon in a political struggle.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 恐怖分子 (kǒngbùfènzǐ) is composed of 恐怖 (terror) and 分子 (molecule/element/member), which literally means "terror element" or "terrorist".
Which one should you use?
While 恐怖分子 is the most common term, 恐怖主义者 or 恐怖主义者 specifically emphasizes the person as an adherent to the ideology of terrorism.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In mainland China, 恐怖分子 is the most widely used and understood term.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kǒngbùfènzǐ
Did you know?
- The term 恐怖 can be used as an adjective to mean 'extremely' or 'terrifyingly' in an impressive sense, such as describing a 'terrifyingly' high score in a game.
- In Mandarin, the word for 'terror' 恐怖 is also the primary word used to describe the 'horror' genre of movies and literature.
- The word 分子 is used similarly in other derogatory labels, such as 特务分子 for 'spy element' or 反动分子 for 'reactionary element'.
Examples in context
- 一个人的恐怖分子为另人的自由战士。One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.This sentence is useful for discussing the subjective nature of the term using 恐怖分子.Tatoeba #770843 by U2FS, translation #518097 by darinmex
- 我們決不會屈服於恐怖份子的要求之下。We will never give in to terrorist demands.This sentence is useful for showing how to express resistance to the demands of 恐怖份子.Tatoeba #471543 by nickyeow, translation #23023 by CK
- 恐怖分子组织Terrorist organization
- 恐怖分子袭击Terrorist attack
- 恐怖主义者的威胁Threat of terrorists
- 警方正在追捕那名恐怖分子。Jǐngfāng zhèngzài zhuībǔ nà míng kǒngbù fènzǐ.The police are chasing that terrorist.
Example conversation
Two people are watching a news report on television.
- 伟 Wei新聞說那名恐怖分子已經落網了。Xīnwén shuō nà míng kǒngbù fènzǐ yǐjīng luòwǎng le.The news says that terrorist has been caught.
- 雨婷 Yuting太好了，這對社會安全很有幫助。Tài hǎo le, zhè duì shèhuì ānquán hěn yǒu bāngzhù.That's great, it is very helpful for social security.
- 伟 Wei雨婷，你覺得現在安全了嗎？Yǔtíng, nǐ juéde xiànzài ānquán le ma?Yuting, do you think it is safe now?
- 雨婷 Yuting希望能更安全一點。Xīwàng néng gèng ānquán yīdiǎn.I hope it can be a bit safer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “terrorist” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
