冲撞

• Pinyin: chōng zhuàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 冲 = to rush/charge; 撞 = 扌(hand) + 童 (child, phonetic) = to bump into

Meaning

To collide with; to bump into; to offend or show disrespect toward someone.

Can describe physical collision between vehicles or people, or figuratively offending someone (especially elders or superiors) through disrespectful behavior or words.

Examples

1. 他骑车太快，不小心冲撞了一位老人。 He was cycling too fast and accidentally bumped into an elderly person.
2. 年轻人说话要注意分寸，别冲撞长辈。 Young people should be careful with their words and not offend their elders.
3. 两辆车在十字路口发生了冲撞。 Two cars collided at the intersection.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, interpersonal, conflict

Tone: cautionary

Do Say

• 开车要小心，避免冲撞行人。(Drive carefully to avoid hitting pedestrians.)
• 他的言行冲撞了上司，结果被调离岗位。(His words and actions offended his boss, and he was transferred.)

Don't Say

• 我们的意见冲撞 (For conflicting opinions, use 冲突 instead of 冲撞)

Origin & History

Compound of 冲 (to rush/charge) and 撞 (to bump/collide). Together they convey forceful collision.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal