夺

• Pinyin: duó
• Hanzi breakdown: 夺 = 大 (big) + 隹 (bird) — seizing like a bird of prey

Meaning

To seize; to snatch; to win (a prize or championship). Taking something forcefully or competing intensely to obtain it.

Used for forcefully taking something from someone, or competitively winning honors. Common phrases: 夺冠 (win the championship), 夺金 (win gold), 夺走 (snatch away), 争分夺秒 (race against time). Has an aggressive, competitive connotation.

Examples

1. 中国队在这次比赛中一举夺得三枚金牌。 The Chinese team won three gold medals in this competition.
2. 那个抢匪夺走了她的手提包就逃跑了。 The robber snatched her handbag and ran off.
3. 两家公司为了争夺市场份额打起了价格战。 The two companies started a price war to compete for market share.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, competition, conflict

Tone: intense

Do Say

• 她终于夺得了世界冠军的头衔。(She finally won the world championship title.)
• 别让工作夺走了你陪伴家人的时间。(Don't let work take away your time with family.)

Don't Say

• 用夺来形容平和地获得某物 (Don't use 夺 for peacefully obtaining something — it implies force or intense competition; use 得到 or 获得 instead)

Origin & History

From 大 (big) + 隹 (short-tailed bird) — a bird snatching prey. Original meaning was a bird of prey seizing something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal