占领

• Pinyin: zhàn lǐng
• Hanzi breakdown: 占 = to occupy/divine; 领 = to lead/territory

Meaning

To occupy; to seize; to capture. To take control of a place, especially by military force.

Primarily used in military contexts but also extended to markets, positions, or abstract territories. Common phrases: 占领市场 (capture the market), 占领高地 (seize the high ground), 占领首都 (occupy the capital).

Examples

1. 那支军队在三天内占领了整座城市。 That army occupied the entire city within three days.
2. 这家公司已经占领了国内大部分市场份额。 This company has already captured most of the domestic market share.
3. 反对派试图占领政府大楼但没有成功。 The opposition tried to occupy the government building but failed.

Usage Guide

Context: military, business, politics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 敌军占领了这个地区长达五年。(The enemy occupied this region for five years.)
• 新产品迅速占领了年轻人市场。(The new product quickly captured the youth market.)

Don't Say

• 占领这个座位 (Too strong for taking a seat — use 占 or 坐 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 占 (to occupy, take possession) and 领 (territory, to lead). To take possession of territory.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal