About
The character "匪" is structurally composed of the enclosure radical 匚 and the component 非, which historically served as a phonetic element while carrying connotations of negation or deviation. Its earliest documented sense was that of a specific type of basket or container, a meaning that later fell out of common use. The term underwent a semantic shift to primarily denote bandits or outlaws, likely evolving from associations with concealed or illicit possessions held within such containers. In classical Chinese literature, "匪" also functioned as a negative adverb meaning "not", analogous to 非, though this usage has largely disappeared in modern language.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
那个土匪很凶恶。
匪徒被警察抓住了。
山区曾有匪患。
匪首最终投降了。
这些匪徒抢劫了银行。
政府出兵剿匪，维护治安。
他的行为近乎匪类。
历史上，匪帮常常与官府对抗。