Definition
扣押 (kòu yā) is a formal legal term meaning 'to detain (a person)' or 'to seize/impound (property)'. It is broader than 拘留 (jū liú), which only applies to detaining people, and more formal than 扣留 (kòu liú), which can also mean to withhold. Unlike 扣 (kòu), which often means 'to deduct' or 'to fasten', 扣押 specifically implies official authority.
verb
to detainto hold in custodyto seizeto impound (property)
Examples
- 扣押。Tā bèi jǐngfāng kòu yā le sān tiān.He was detained by the police for three days.
- 扣押。Fǎyuàn kòu yā le tā de quánbù zīchǎn.The court seized all of his assets.
- 扣押。扣押Hǎiguān kòu yā le yī pī wéijìn pǐn.Customs impounded a batch of contraband.
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