篡夺 (cuàn duó) — to usurp, to seize (a position or power by force)

Definition

Formal, written verb meaning to seize power or a position by force — always illegal and hostile, unlike the neutral 夺 (take) or 夺取 (capture/win through effort). Common in political/historical contexts such as 政权 (state power) or 王位 (the throne).

verb
to usurpto seize (a position or power by force)

Examples

  • 篡夺，。
    Tā qǐ tú tōng guò zhèng biàn cuàn duó zhèng quán, dàn zuì zhōng shī bài le.
    He attempted to usurp state power through a coup, but ultimately failed.
  • 篡夺。
    Lì shǐ shàng xǔ duō jūn zhǔ dōu shì tōng guò cuàn duó shàng tái de.
    Many monarchs in history came to power by usurpation.
  • 篡夺，。
    Nà ge dà chén mì móu cuàn duó wáng wèi, què bèi guó wáng fā xiàn le.
    That minister secretly plotted to usurp the throne, but was discovered by the king.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

篡cuànusurp
夺duóseize

篡 and 夺 both convey seizing by force, so together they mean usurp.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 奪; 夺 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 奪 includes 又 (a hand), 雀 (a bird), and 衣 (clothing), showing a hand seizing a bird from someone; the simplified 夺 is a later abbreviation.

Open 夺 →

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