劫持 (jié chí) — to hijack (a vehicle, aircraft, etc.); to kidna… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

劫持 means to seize control by force — typically used for hijacking vehicles (aircraft, buses) or holding people hostage. Compared with 绑架 (kidnap a person for ransom), 劫持 centers on taking control of a vehicle or situation.

verb

to hijack (a vehicle, aircraft, etc.)to kidnapto abductto hold under duress

Examples

劫持。
Jǐng fāng chéng gōng jiě jiù le bèi jié chí de rén zhì.
The police successfully rescued the hostages who were hijacked.
劫持。
Bǎng fěi jié chí le yì míng shāng rén.
The kidnappers abducted a businessman.
劫持。
Tā men shì tú jié chí nà liàng gōng gòng qì chē.
They tried to hijack that bus.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

劫 (seize) and 持 (hold) together mean taking control by force.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

去力劫

Meaning part形符xíngfú

力力lìpower, force

Sound part声符shēngfú

去

去qù劫jié

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

劫 pairs 去, which gives the sound, with 力, meaning power or force.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

寺

寺sì持chí

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

持 combines 手 (hand), for the idea of holding, with 寺, which gives the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Crime & Police

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