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压制 (yā zhì) — to suppress, to stifle, to repress (feelings, opinions, sounds, etc.)

Definition

压制 is to forcibly hold something down — opinions, emotions, sounds, innovation — implying ongoing, often external pressure. Stronger and more forceful than 抑制 (which is internal self-control); 取缔 is an official ban, not ongoing suppression.

verb
to suppressto stifleto repress (feelings, opinions, sounds, etc.)

Examples

  • 压制，。
    Tā nǔ lì yā zhì zhù zì jǐ de shēng yīn, bú ràng bié rén tīng dào tā zài kū.
    She tried hard to stifle her own voice so others wouldn't hear her crying.
  • 压制，。
    Zhèng fǔ shì tú yā zhì bù tóng de shēng yīn, dàn rén mín yī rán biǎo dá le yì jiàn.
    The government tried to suppress dissenting voices, but the people still expressed their opinions.
  • 压制。
    Chuàng xīn cháng cháng shòu dào chuán tǒng guān niàn de yā zhì.
    Innovation is often stifled by traditional ideas.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

压yāpress down
制zhìcontrol

压 (press down) and 制 (control) together mean to suppress or hold something in check.

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 壓; 压 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
土土tǔdust
Sound part声符shēngfú
厭
厭yàn壓yā
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 壓 is built from 土, dust, and 厭, which gives the sound; 压 is the simplified form of 壓.

Open 压 →

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

The form 制 pairs 朱 (tree) with 刀 (knife), showing the act of cutting a tree.

Open 制 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Conflict & Agreement

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