Definitions

(verb) to crowd; to squeeze in; to cram in
(verb) to press; to squeeze
(verb) to find (time in schedule)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "挤", whose traditional form is "擠", is composed of the hand radical (扌) on the left, denoting actions related to the hand, and a right-hand component that serves primarily as a phonetic element. In the simplified form, this component is "齐", while in the traditional form it is "齊", a character meaning even or complete but here used for its sound. The etymological basis of "挤" lies in the concept of applying pressure with the hands, originally referring to physical acts like pushing, squeezing, or jostling. Over centuries, its semantic range widened to include the idea of crowding or cramming into a tight space, and later extended metaphorically to contexts such as squeezing out time or resources, reflecting a shift from purely physical connotations to broader applications of constraint and exertion.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

地铁里很拥

Dìtiě lǐ hěn yōngjǐ.

The subway is very crowded.

早上公交车很

Zǎoshang gōngjiāo chē hěn jǐ.

The bus is very crowded in the morning.

人们进了电梯。

Rénmen jǐ jìnle diàntī.

People squeezed into the elevator.

出了人群。

Tā jǐ chūle rénqún.

He squeezed out of the crowd.

超市里满了顾客。

Chāoshì lǐ jǐ mǎnie gùkè.

The supermarket is packed with customers.

为了看表演,大家都向前。

Wèile kàn biǎoyǎn, dàjiā dōu jǐ xiàng qián.

To watch the performance, everyone crowded forward.

在高峰时间,地铁车厢得让人难受。

Zài gāofēng shíjiān, dìtiě chēxiāng jǐ dé ràng rén nánshòu.

During rush hour, the subway car is crowded so that people feel uncomfortable.

尽管空间狭窄,他还是了过去。

Jǐnguǎn kōngjiān xiázhǎi, tā háishì jǐle guòqù.

Although the space was narrow, he still squeezed through.