攘

rǎng

扌 + 襄

Frequency#3403

Definitions

rǎng (verb) to push up one's sleeves

rǎng (verb) to resist; to reject

rǎng (verb) to seize; to steal

rǎng (verb) to disturb; to perturb

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 襄 represents the sound.

Semantic: 扌 Phonetic: 襄

About

The character "攘" is structured with the hand radical 扌 combined with the component 襄, which historically served as a phonetic element and contributed to its semantic development. Its early meanings centered on the physical action of pushing up sleeves, indicating preparation for labor or battle, which extended to concepts of pushing away or repelling, such as in the expression "攘除" for eliminating evils. Over time, the character acquired additional senses including seizing or usurping, and in certain contexts, it denoted disorderly contention or theft, all while maintaining a fundamental link to forceful manual activity.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们必须团结起来，攘除外敌。

Wǒmen bìxū tuánjié qǐlái, rǎngchú wài dí.

We must unite to drive out the foreign enemies.

市场上人来人往，熙熙攘攘。

Shìchǎng shàng rén lái rén wǎng, xīxīrǎngrǎng.

The marketplace is bustling with people coming and going.

历史上这个国家多次攘御了外族入侵。

Lìshǐ shàng zhège guójiā duō cì rǎngyù le wàizú rùqīn.

Historically, this country repelled foreign invasions multiple times.

这项政策旨在安内攘外，巩固政权。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè zhǐ zài ān nèi rǎng wài, gǒnggù zhèngquán.

This policy aims to pacify the interior and repel external threats to consolidate political power.

面对谣言，他公开发表声明以攘斥不实之辞。

Miànduì yáoyán, tā gōngkāi fābiǎo shēngmíng yǐ rǎngchì bù shí zhī cí.

Facing rumors, he publicly issued a statement to refute the untrue claims.

这部小说描写了乱世中志士攘夷报国的故事。

Zhè bù xiǎoshuō miáoxiě le luànshì zhōng zhìshì rǎngyí bàoguó de gùshì.

This novel depicts the story of patriots repelling foreign powers and serving their country in turbulent times.

他慷慨激昂地陈词，力主攘除弊政，推行改革。

Tā kāngkǎijī'áng de chéncí, lì zhǔ rǎngchú bìzhèng, tuīxíng gǎigé.

He spoke passionately, strongly advocating for the elimination of maladministration and the promotion of reform.

在战略上，他们采取了以守为攻、伺机攘夺的策略。

Zài zhànlüè shàng, tāmen cǎiqǔle yǐ shǒu wéi gōng, sìjī rǎngduó de cèlüè.

Strategically, they adopted the tactic of using defense as offense, waiting for an opportunity to seize (advantage or territory).

Related Characters

Component: 扌

Component: 襄

攘