Definitions

(verb) to force; to compel
(verb) to approach; to draw near
(adjective) urgent; pressing

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound: , the radical for walking or movement, conveys the meaning, while provides the sound. The character originally referred to the physical act of approaching or drawing near to a target, a concrete action that explains the movement component. Over time, this spatial sense of closing in shifted metaphorically to the abstract idea of pressing or compelling someone, which developed into the modern meanings "to force" or "to coerce".

Example Sentences Hide

形势非常紧

Xíngshì fēicháng jǐnpò.

The situation is very pressing.

我们切需要水。

Wǒmen pòqiè xūyào shuǐ.

We urgently need water.

饥饿使他偷窃。

Jī'è pòshǐ tā tōuqiè.

Hunger forced him to steal.

离开家乡很伤心。

Bèipò líkāi jiāxiāng hěn shāngxīn.

Being forced to leave hometown is very sad.

经济压导致反抗。

Jīngjì yāpò dǎozhì fǎnkàng.

Economic oppression leads to rebellion.

近的考试让我焦虑。

Pòjìn de kǎoshì ràng wǒ jiāolǜ.

The approaching exam makes me anxious.

在压力逼下,他同意了。

Zài yālì bīpò xià, tā tóngyì le.

Under the pressure, he agreed.

这种紧感促使我们行动。

Zhè zhǒng jǐnpògǎn cùshǐ wǒmen xíngdòng.

This sense of urgency prompts us to act.