Meanings of 奪
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About 奪
Podcast: 奪
Podcast: 奪
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AI Study Notes for 奪
夺 (duó) vs 抢 (qiǎng): Use 夺 when emphasizing the act of taking something forcefully or through competition; use 抢 when focusing on the urgency or speed of the act.
This character is generally used in more serious contexts, such as crime or intense competition. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; for example, '得' (dé) means 'to obtain', which is much softer in tone. Common collocations include 奪取 (duóqǔ, to seize) and 奪命 (duómìng, to take a life).
Although 奪 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other words related to conflict or competition. Students at this level should focus on its usage in phrases and idioms, as well as its nuances in tone and context.
Learners often confuse 奪 with similar characters like 夺 (duó), which is more commonly used in modern contexts. Additionally, some may mistakenly use it in non-serious situations; for example, saying '我夺了他的书' (I snatched his book) can sound overly aggressive if meant playfully.
Pronunciation of 奪
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Etymology of 奪
A man 大 grasping 寸 a bird 隹
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 奪
- 1The giveawayA man 大 grasping 寸 a bird 隹
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 奪? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 奪?
Decomposition of 奪
Identify the Components
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How to say to rob, to snatch, to take by force in Chinese
“to rob, to snatch, to take by force” in Chinese is奪
The character 奪 (duó) means 'to rob' or 'to snatch', conveying a sense of taking something by force or without permission. It is commonly used in contexts involving theft or competition, where one party takes something from another, often implying urgency or aggression.
When to use 奪
This character is generally used in more serious contexts, such as crime or intense competition. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; for example, '得' (dé) means 'to obtain', which is much softer in tone. Common collocations include 奪取 (duóqǔ, to seize) and 奪命 (duómìng, to take a life).
奪 or something close to it
夺 (duó) vs 抢 (qiǎng): Use 夺 when emphasizing the act of taking something forcefully or through competition; use 抢 when focusing on the urgency or speed of the act.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 奪 with similar characters like 夺 (duó), which is more commonly used in modern contexts. Additionally, some may mistakenly use it in non-serious situations; for example, saying '我夺了他的书' (I snatched his book) can sound overly aggressive if meant playfully.
Write 奪
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Practice writing 奪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 奪
Compound Meaning
What does 夺 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 奪
It's not common in casual contexts, but you might encounter it in news reports or discussions about crime.
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