胁

脅/脇
xié
办 + 月

Definitions

xié (noun) flank; side of torso
xié (verb) to coerce; to threaten

Etymology

Simplified form of 脅. Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 劦 represents the sound.

About

胁 is the simplified version of the traditional character 脅. It is a phono-semantic compound: the left side is the flesh radical ⺼ (written as 月, meaning 'meat'), indicating that the character relates to a body part. In the traditional form, the right side was 劦 (xié), serving as the phonetic component. When characters were simplified, 劦 was replaced with 办 (bàn), which now provides the sound. Originally, 胁/脅 denoted the lateral region of the upper body, the sides of the chest, the flanks, and the ribcage. Because this area is especially vulnerable, seizing someone by the flanks could force compliance. This physical act of pressure gave rise to the extended meanings 'to coerce' or 'to intimidate,' capturing the idea of compelling someone against their will through threats or force.

Example Sentences Hide

威胁他人是违法的行为。

Wēixié tārén shì wéifǎ de xíngwéi.

Threatening others is an illegal act.

不要胁迫别人做不愿意的事。

Bùyào xiépò biérén zuò bù yuànyì de shì.

Don't coerce others into doing things they don't want to do.

他是在胁从下参与犯罪的。

Tā shì zài xiécóng xià cānyù fànzuì de.

He participated in the crime under duress as an accomplice.

他因胁持人质被警方逮捕。

Tā yīn xiéchí rénzhì bèi jǐngfāng dàibǔ.

He was arrested by the police for taking a hostage.

那个证人在受到威胁后保持了沉默。

Nàge zhèngrén zài shòudào wēixié hòu bǎochíle chénmò.

That witness remained silent after being threatened.

犯罪分子以曝光隐私相胁逼。

Fànzuì fènzǐ yǐ bàoguāng yǐnsī xiāng xiébī.

The criminal used the threat of exposing private information to coerce him.

他用胁肩谄笑的方式讨好上司。

Tā yòng xié jiān chǎn xiào de fāngshì tǎohǎo shàngsī.

He flattered his superior with an obsequious and ingratiating manner.

这种胁肋部的疼痛需要详细检查。

Zhè zhǒng xiélèi bù de téngtòng xūyào xiángxì jiǎnchá.

This pain in the costal region requires a detailed examination.

Related Characters

Component: 办

苏 协

Component: 月

有 明 月 期 望 服 青 朝 育 脸 股 脑 胜 背

Example Words

威胁 胁迫 胁持