劫富济贫 (jié fù jì pín) — to rob the rich and give to the poor (a chivalrous act of social justice)

Definition

A set phrase (chengyu) describing a Robin Hood-style act — taking from the wealthy to give to the poor. Used in narratives about heroic or righteous figures, often with a positive or romantic connotation.

idiom
to rob the rich and give to the poor (a chivalrous act of social justice)

Examples

  • 劫富济贫。
    Gǔ dài hěn duō xiǎo shuō lǐ dōu yǒu jié fù jì pín de xiá kè.
    Many ancient novels feature chivalrous figures who rob the rich and help the poor.
  • 劫富济贫。
    Tā nà zhǒng jié fù jì pín de xíng wéi zài mín jiān guǎng wéi liú chuán.
    His kind of 'robbing the rich to help the poor' deeds spread widely among the people.
  • 劫富济贫。
    Zhè ge gù shi jiǎng shù le yí gè jié fù jì pín de yīng xióng shì jì.
    This story narrates the heroic deeds of someone who robs the rich and helps the poor.

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.

劫富rob the rich
劫jiérob富fùrich
动宾Verb + object
济贫help the poor
济jìhelp贫pínpoor
动宾Verb + object

劫富 means robbing the rich, and 济贫 means helping the poor.

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.

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.

Open 劫 →

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
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
畐
畐fú富fù
Same sound today

富 pairs 宀, a roof-shaped part, with 畐, which gives the sound fú.

Open 富 →

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 濟; 济 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
齊
齊qí濟jì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 濟 pairs 水 (water) with 齊, which gives the sound; the simplified 济 is a later shorthand.

Open 济 →

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 貧; 贫 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
貝貝bèimoney
Sound part声符shēngfú
分
分fēn貧pín
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 貧 has 分 above 貝, a money part. 分 gives the sound and means 'divide', giving the image of dividing one's money; the simplified 贫 is a later shorthand.

Open 贫 →

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