Carjacking
Meaning: Stealing a car by force while the driver is present, typically at gunpoint or by threatening violence.
Carjacking is distinct from regular car theft because the victim is present and usually threatened. It became a widely-discussed crime in the 1990s and led to specific carjacking laws in many states. The term is now used loosely for any aggressive takeover situation.
Examples
- There's been a spike in carjackings downtown recently. 最近市中心的劫车事件急剧增加。Últimamente ha habido un repunte de robos de coches a mano armada en el centro.最近、ダウンタウンでカージャックが急増している。최근 시내에서 카재킹이 급증하고 있다.
- She barely escaped a carjacking attempt at the gas station. 她在加油站差点被劫车,好不容易才逃脱。Ella escapó por los pelos de un intento de robo de coche en la gasolinera.彼女はガソリンスタンドでカージャック未遂からかろうじて逃れた。그녀는 주유소에서 카재킹 미수에서 가까스로 벗어났다.
- The city is cracking down on carjacking with harsher penalties. 该市正以更严厉的处罚打击劫车犯罪。La ciudad está endureciendo las penas para combatir los robos de coches a mano armada.市はカージャックに対してより厳しい罰則で取り締まりを強化している。시에서 더 강력한 처벌로 카재킹 단속을 강화하고 있다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: crime, news, safety
Tone: serious, alarming
✓ Do Say
- Lock your doors — carjackings have been increasing in this area.锁好车门——这个地区的劫车事件一直在增加。Cierra los seguros: los robos de coches a mano armada han aumentado en esta zona.ドアをロックして——この地域でカージャックが増えている。문 잠가 — 이 지역에서 카재킹이 늘고 있어.
- He was a victim of a carjacking.他是劫车案的受害者。Fue víctima de un robo de coche a mano armada.彼はカージャックの被害に遭った。그는 카재킹 피해자였어.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use jokingly — carjacking is a violent felony不要用来开玩笑——劫车是严重的暴力犯罪No lo uses en broma: el carjacking es un delito violento grave冗談で使わないこと——カージャックは暴力的な重罪だ농담으로 사용하지 말 것 — 카재킹은 폭력 중범죄이다
Origin & History
American English, coined in the early 1990s as a blend of 'car' and 'hijacking.' The term emerged during a wave of violent car thefts in American cities, particularly Detroit and Washington, D.C.
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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