Definitions

to impeach

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "劾" structurally integrates the radical "力", denoting force, with the phonetic component "亥", which historically guided its pronunciation while also contributing to its semantic field, originating from the concept of exerting authority to scrutinize or examine. Etymologically, it initially conveyed meanings related to judicial investigation and the rigorous assessment of conduct, often within official capacities, reflecting its compositional emphasis on applied power. Over subsequent periods, its application narrowed considerably to specialize in denoting formal accusations or impeachment procedures, thereby emphasizing legal censure and the process of holding individuals to account, which consolidated its earlier broader senses of inquiry into a more precise legal terminology.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

国会弹了官员。

Guóhuì tánhé le guānyuán.

Congress impeached the official.

过程需要证据。

Tánhé guòchéng xūyào zhèngjù.

The impeachment process requires evidence.

他被弹是因为贪污。

Tā bèi tánhé shì yīnwèi tānwū.

He was impeached because of corruption.

案在议会中引起了激烈辩论。

Tánhé àn zài yìhuì zhōng yǐnqǐ le jīliè biànlùn.

The impeachment case sparked fierce debate in parliament.

如果总统违法,国会可以启动弹程序。

Rúguǒ zǒngtǒng wéifǎ, guóhuì kěyǐ qǐdòng tánhé chéngxù.

If the president breaks the law, Congress can initiate impeachment proceedings.

的成功取决于多数议员的支持。

Tánhé de chénggōng qǔjué yú duōshù yìyuán de zhīchí.

The success of impeachment depends on the support of a majority of legislators.

尽管证据确凿,弹投票仍未能通过。

Jǐnguǎn zhèngjù quèzáo, tánhé tóupiào réng wèi néng tōngguò.

Despite conclusive evidence, the impeachment vote still failed to pass.

制度是宪法中制约权力的重要机制。

Tánhé zhìdù shì xiànfǎ zhōng zhìyuē quánlì de zhòngyào jīzhì.

The impeachment system is an important mechanism in the constitution for checking power.