逼

• Pinyin: bī
• Hanzi breakdown: 逼 = 辶 (walking radical) + 畐 (full)

Meaning

To force; to compel; to pressure. Making someone do something against their will.

Used when someone is pressured or forced into action, whether by circumstances or by other people. Can imply urgency, desperation, or coercion. Also used in the sense of 'to corner' or 'to drive to.'

Examples

1. 别逼我做我不想做的事。 Don't force me to do things I don't want to do.
2. 形势所逼，他不得不做出这个艰难的决定。 Forced by circumstances, he had to make this difficult decision.
3. 家长不应该逼孩子学习，要引导他们产生兴趣。 Parents shouldn't force children to study — they should guide them to develop interest.

Usage Guide

Context: conflict, pressure

Tone: tense

Do Say

• 是他逼我这样做的。(He forced me to do it.)
• 不要把人逼到绝路上。(Don't push people to a dead end.)

Don't Say

• 不要在正式场合用'逼' (In formal contexts, use 强迫 or 迫使 instead of 逼, which can sound more colloquial or harsh)

Origin & History

Composed of 辶 (walking) and 畐 (full), originally meaning to approach or press close, hence to force.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal