Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
剥削 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
剥削bōxuēto exploitHSK 7, v, 19 strokes, rank #13764, Very Hard
剥削bōxuēexploitationHSK 7, v, 19 strokes, rank #13764, Very Hard
bōxuē(bo1xue1)bo xue T1
  1. 1to exploit
  2. 2exploitation
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

剥削(剝削)bōxuē(bo1xue1)

The term '剥削' (bōxuē) refers to the act of exploiting someone or something, often in a social or economic context. It implies taking unfair advantage of individuals, typically in a labor or financial situation. This word is commonly used in discussions around labor rights, social justice, and economic inequality.

Strokes19Frequency#13764DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

'剥削' is often discussed in the context of China's rapid industrialization, where issues of labor rights and exploitation have garnered significant attention in recent decades. Understanding this term can provide insights into ongoing social movements and economic reforms in China.

Memory tip

Imagine a farmer (the radical '剥' meaning 'to peel') who is peeling away the layers of an onion (representing workers) to extract the most valuable parts while leaving behind the rest. The farmer is exploiting the onion for profit. The sound 'bō' can remind you of 'bore', as in boring into someone’s rights and 'xuē' sounds like 'squeeze', as in squeezing out value without fair compensation.

Meanings of 剥削

bōxuē(bo1xue1)
1to exploit
2exploitation
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 剥削 means.

About 剥削

剥削Simplified
剝削Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#13764Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 剥削

JasonAmy

Podcast: 剥削

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 剥削

Quick Contrast

剥削 (exploit) vs 利用 (utilize) — choose 剥削 when emphasizing unfair advantage over someone, while 利用 suggests a more neutral use of resources or people.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse '剥削' with '利用' (to utilize), but '剥削' carries a negative connotation of unfairness. It is more formal and typically used in academic or political discussions rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include '剥削劳动者' (exploitation of laborers) and '剥削制度' (exploitative system).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, '剥削' connects well with other terms related to social issues and ethics. Students should focus on understanding its implications in various contexts, particularly in discussions about economy and society, which are prevalent at this level.

Common Mistakes

Learners might misuse '剥削' by applying it to neutral situations, leading to phrases like '剥削市场' (exploiting the market), which lacks the negative implication intended. The correct usage would be more focused on human or labor exploitation, such as '剥削工人' (exploitation of workers).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 剥削

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 剥削, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 剥削 to you

Let me explain 剥削 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 剥削 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 剥削?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 剥削 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

剥bāoto peel
HSK 710 strokes刂
View full entry
削xiāoto pare
HSK 79 strokes刂
View full entry

How to say to exploit in Chinese

“to exploit” in Chinese is剥削bōxuē

The term '剥削' (bōxuē) refers to the act of exploiting someone or something, often in a social or economic context. It implies taking unfair advantage of individuals, typically in a labor or financial situation. This word is commonly used in discussions around labor rights, social justice, and economic inequality.

When to use 剥削

Learners often confuse '剥削' with '利用' (to utilize), but '剥削' carries a negative connotation of unfairness. It is more formal and typically used in academic or political discussions rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include '剥削劳动者' (exploitation of laborers) and '剥削制度' (exploitative system).

剥削 or something close to it

剥削 (exploit) vs 利用 (utilize) — choose 剥削 when emphasizing unfair advantage over someone, while 利用 suggests a more neutral use of resources or people.

What learners get wrong

Learners might misuse '剥削' by applying it to neutral situations, leading to phrases like '剥削市场' (exploiting the market), which lacks the negative implication intended. The correct usage would be more focused on human or labor exploitation, such as '剥削工人' (exploitation of workers).

Write 剥削

剥
削

Practice writing 剥削 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 剥削

剥削 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

那个岛上的居民忍受了数个世纪的____。

The islanders endured centuries of exploitation.

Example sentences for 剥削 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
那个岛上的居民忍受了数个世纪的剥削。

nàge dǎo shàng de jūmín rěnshòu le shù gè shìjì de bōxuē。

The islanders endured centuries of exploitation.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 剥削?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Cultural Notes for 剥削

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, exploitation often centers around corporate practices and labor laws, while in China, it can also reflect historical and systemic issues related to economic development and social hierarchy.

Frequently asked questions about 剥削

While both terms imply unfair treatment, '剥削' specifically refers to exploitation for economic gain, whereas '压迫' (yā pò) means oppression, which can encompass broader forms of control and repression.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 剥削?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab