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抗议 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
抗议kàngyìto protestHSK 7, nz, 12 strokes, rank #4222, Very Hard
抗议kàngyìprotestHSK 7, nz, 12 strokes, rank #4222, Very Hard
kàngyì(kang4yi4)kang yi T4
  1. 1to protest
  2. 2protest
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March 24, 2026

抗议(抗議)kàngyì(kang4yi4)

抗议 (kàng yì) refers to the act of expressing strong disapproval or opposition, typically against policies, actions, or events. It is commonly used in political contexts where people gather to voice their dissent, but it can also apply to social issues or personal grievances. The term conveys a sense of resistance and assertiveness in confronting perceived injustices.

Strokes12Frequency#4222DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The concept of 抗议 is significant in Chinese history, particularly in relation to events such as the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, where citizens gathered to voice their demands for reform. This reflects the ongoing tension between individual expression and state authority in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a kangaroo (sounds like 'kang') standing up for its rights, holding a sign in its paw that reads 'No more hopping around!' This imagery connects the character 抗 (kàng), which contains the radical for 'to resist,' with the idea of a protest (议, yì) where opinions are expressed.

Meanings of 抗议

kàngyì(kang4yi4)
1to protest
2protest
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About 抗议

抗议Simplified
抗議Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4222Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 抗议

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AI Study Notes for 抗议

Quick Contrast

抗议 (kàngyì) vs 抗争 (kàngzhēng) — use 抗议 for expressing disapproval, while 抗争 emphasizes active struggle or conflict.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 抗议 with similar terms such as 反对 (fǎn duì), which means to oppose but doesn't carry the same connotation of public demonstration. It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in news articles or academic discussions about social movements. Be mindful of the tones, as mispronouncing the tones can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 抗议 connects with other terms related to social justice and civic engagement. Students should focus on using it in context, especially in discussions about current events or political science, to deepen their understanding and application of the term.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 抗议 in contexts where they should use a more general term like 说 (shuō) for 'to say', as in 'I protest this idea'. Instead, the correct usage would be '我抗议这个想法' (wǒ kàng yì zhè ge xiǎng fǎ).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 抗议

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Component Characters

抗kàngto resist
HSK 77 strokes扌
View full entry
议yìto comment on
HSK 75 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say to protest in Chinese

“to protest” in Chinese is抗议kàngyì

抗议 (kàng yì) refers to the act of expressing strong disapproval or opposition, typically against policies, actions, or events. It is commonly used in political contexts where people gather to voice their dissent, but it can also apply to social issues or personal grievances. The term conveys a sense of resistance and assertiveness in confronting perceived injustices.

When to use 抗议

Learners often confuse 抗议 with similar terms such as 反对 (fǎn duì), which means to oppose but doesn't carry the same connotation of public demonstration. It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in news articles or academic discussions about social movements. Be mindful of the tones, as mispronouncing the tones can lead to misunderstandings.

抗议 or something close to it

抗议 (kàngyì) vs 抗争 (kàngzhēng) — use 抗议 for expressing disapproval, while 抗争 emphasizes active struggle or conflict.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 抗议 in contexts where they should use a more general term like 说 (shuō) for 'to say', as in 'I protest this idea'. Instead, the correct usage would be '我抗议这个想法' (wǒ kàng yì zhè ge xiǎng fǎ).

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抗
议

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Cultural Notes for 抗议

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, protests are often seen as a fundamental right and an expression of democracy, whereas in China, the government closely monitors and often restricts public protests, leading to different perceptions of dissent.

Frequently Asked Questions about 抗议

Yes, while it is often used in formal contexts, you can use it in everyday conversations when discussing opinions on social issues.

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