扣押

• Pinyin: kòu yā
• Hanzi breakdown: 扣 = 扌(hand) + 口; 押 = 扌(hand) + 甲 (armor) — to detain

Meaning

To seize; to confiscate; to impound. Taking custody of property or documents by legal authority.

More formal and severe than 扣留. Often used in legal contexts for seizing evidence, freezing assets, or confiscating contraband. Implies a longer-term or more formal seizure than simple detention.

Examples

1. 警方扣押了涉案的大量现金和文件。 The police seized a large amount of cash and documents related to the case.
2. 法院裁定扣押被告名下的全部房产。 The court ruled to impound all properties under the defendant's name.
3. 海关有权扣押走私物品。 Customs has the authority to confiscate smuggled goods.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, law enforcement, judicial

Tone: official

Do Say

• 证据已被扣押。(The evidence has been seized.)
• 资产被法院扣押了。(The assets were impounded by the court.)

Don't Say

• 用扣押形容借东西不还，如'他扣押了我的书'。(Don't use 扣押 for personal situations — it implies legal authority; use 扣着 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 扣 (hold back) + 押 (custody/deposit). Together meaning to hold in custody.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal