逼迫

• Pinyin: bī pò
• Hanzi breakdown: 逼 = 辶 (walk) + 畐 (phonetic); 迫 = 辶 (walk) + 白 (white/phonetic)

Meaning

To force; to compel; to coerce someone against their will.

Describes forcing someone to do something through pressure, threats, or circumstances. Implies the person being forced has no real choice. Can be physical, emotional, or situational coercion. Often used when discussing oppression or desperate situations.

Examples

1. 生活的压力逼迫他不得不同时打两份工。 Financial pressure forced him to work two jobs at once.
2. 她被家人逼迫嫁给一个自己不爱的人。 She was forced by her family to marry someone she didn't love.
3. 不要逼迫孩子学习他们不感兴趣的东西。 Don't force children to learn things they have no interest in.

Usage Guide

Context: social issues, relationships, hardship

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 他被逼迫签了那份合同。(He was forced to sign that contract.)
• 形势逼迫我们必须做出改变。(Circumstances compel us to make changes.)

Don't Say

• 把善意的鼓励说成'逼迫' (Don't call encouragement 逼迫 — that word implies unwanted coercion)

Origin & History

逼 (to press/force) + 迫 (to press/urge). Both characters mean to press, creating emphasis.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal