剥夺

• Pinyin: bō duó
• Hanzi breakdown: 剥 = 彔 + 刂 (knife), meaning to peel or strip; 夺 = 大 (big) + 寸 (hand), depicting forceful seizure

Meaning

To deprive; to strip away; to take away rights or possessions forcibly.

A strong verb implying forcible or unjust removal of something that belongs to someone. Common in legal, political, and human rights contexts. Often used with rights, freedoms, or opportunities.

Examples

1. 任何人不得被非法剥夺人身自由。 No one may be illegally deprived of personal freedom.
2. 因为那次事故，他被剥夺了驾驶资格。 Because of that accident, he was stripped of his driving privileges.
3. 战争剥夺了无数孩子接受教育的机会。 War has deprived countless children of the opportunity to receive an education.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, political, rights

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 不能剥夺公民的基本权利。(Citizens' basic rights cannot be stripped away.)
• 他被剥夺了政治权利三年。(He was deprived of political rights for three years.)

Don't Say

• 他剥夺了我的零食。(For casual taking, use 拿走 or 抢走 — 剥夺 is for serious rights/freedoms)

Origin & History

剥 (to peel, strip) + 夺 (to seize, snatch). Together meaning to forcibly strip away.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal