盗匪 (dào fěi) — robbers, bandits

Definition

noun
robbersbandits
Measure word · 伙

Examples

  • 盗匪。
    Zhè xiē dào fěi bèi jǐng chá zhuā zhù le.
    These bandits were caught by the police.
  • 盗匪，。
    Gǔ dài yǒu hěn duō dào fěi, zhuān mén qiǎng jié lù rén.
    In ancient times there were many bandits who specifically robbed travelers.
  • 盗匪。
    Zhè bù diàn yǐng jiǎng shù le yì qún dào fěi de gù shi.
    This movie tells the story of a group of bandits.

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.

盗dàothief
匪fěibandit

盗 names a thief, and 匪 names a bandit; together they mean robbers.

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 盜; 盗 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 盜 combines 㳄 (drooling/craving) with a vessel shape, meaning to covet someone else's possessions and steal; 盗 is the simplified writing of 盜.

Open 盗 →

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
匚匚fāngbox
Sound part声符shēngfú
非
非fēi匪fěi
Same sound today

匪 is built from 匚, a box, plus 非, which gives the sound.

Open 匪 →

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