盘踞 (pán jù) — to illegally occupy (territory), to entrench oneself

Definition

盘踞 is a formal/literary verb for forcibly occupying and holding a place over time — usually hostile forces (rebels, bandits, enemies, crime syndicates), not legitimate authority. Stronger and more written than the everyday 占领.

verb
to illegally occupy (territory)to entrench oneself

Examples

  • 盘踞。
    Tǔ fěi pán jù zài shān lǐ.
    Bandits entrenched themselves in the mountains.
  • 盘踞。
    Zhè ge zǔ zhī yǐ jīng pán jù gāi shì duō nián.
    This organization has been entrenched in the city for many years.
  • 盘踞。
    Dí rén pán jù zài jiān gù de bǎo lěi lǐ.
    The enemy occupied the strong fortress.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

盘páncoiled
踞jùsquat

盘踞 is to 踞, squat, in a 盘, coiled posture.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 盤; 盘 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
皿皿mǐn
Sound part声符shēngfú
般
般bān盤pán
Same sound today

The traditional form 盤 pairs 般, which gives the sound, with 皿, a vessel. This note is about 盤, not the simplified 盘.

Open 盘 →

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
足足zúfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
居
居jū踞jù
Same sound today

踞 is made from 足, a foot, and 居, which gives the sound.

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