逼 (bī) — to force, to compel (someone to do something); to press on towards, to close in on (a place)

Definition

逼 (bī) means 'to force/compel' a person or 'to close in on' a place — broader than 强迫 or 迫使, which are more formal written 'compel'. Pairs with people (逼他做…) and threats approaching (敌人逼近).

verb
to forceto compel (someone to do something)to press on towardsto close in on (a place)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 逼。
    Bié bī tā zuò jué dìng.
    Don't force him to make a decision.
  • 。
    Dí rén yǐ jīng bī jìn chéng shì.
    The enemy has closed in on the city.
  • 逼。
    Fù mǔ bú yào bī hái zi xué dé tài jǐn.
    Parents shouldn't push their children too hard to study.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
畐
畐fú逼bī
Same sound today

逼 pairs 辶, which carries the meaning, with 畐, which gives the sound.

Appears in
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