Definition
盗墓 is a separable verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to rob graves' or 'tomb raiding'. The verb 盗 ('to rob') and the noun 墓 ('tomb') can be split when you need to insert a measure word, duration, or object: e.g. 盗了一个墓 (robbed a tomb), 盗过两次墓 (robbed tombs twice). The word carries strong historical and pop-culture associations in Chinese, especially with 盗墓笔记 (The Lost Tomb) novels and films.
v.o.
to rob a tomb / gravetomb raiding
Examples
- 盗墓。Tā yīnwèi dào mù bèi pàn le shí nián.He was sentenced to ten years for tomb raiding.
- 。Zhèxiē rén dào le sān gè gǔ mù.These people robbed three ancient tombs.
- ，。Tā yǐqián dào guò yí cì mù, bèi zhuā hòu jiù bù gǎn le.He had robbed a tomb once before, but after getting caught he never dared again.
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