驱逐

• Pinyin: qū zhú
• Hanzi breakdown: 驱 = 马 + 区 (drive forward/away); 逐 = 辶 + 豕 (chase/pursue — pursuing a pig, i.e., hunting)

Meaning

To expel; to drive out; to banish; to deport. Used in formal, diplomatic, legal, and historical contexts.

驱逐出境 (expel from a country/deport) is a key fixed phrase. Implies the use of authority or force to permanently remove someone or a group. Stronger and more formal than 赶走.

Examples

1. 两国外交关系恶化后，该国宣布驱逐对方的数名外交官。 After diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorated, the country announced the expulsion of several of the other side’s diplomats.
2. 历史上，这支农民起义军曾成功驱逐了长期盘踞一方的封建割据势力。 Historically, this peasant rebel army once successfully drove out the feudal warlord forces that had long entrenched themselves in the region.
3. 移民局依法对非法入境者实施驱逐，并将其遣返原籍国。 In accordance with the law, immigration authorities expelled people who entered illegally and deported them back to their country of origin.

Usage Guide

Context: diplomacy, law, history, military

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 联合国安理会就驱逐侵略军队的决议进行了紧急磋商。(The UN Security Council held emergency consultations on a resolution to expel the invading troops.)
• 该国政府宣布驱逐三名涉嫌从事间谍活动的外国外交官，并要求其在四十八小时内离境。(The government announced the expulsion of three foreign diplomats suspected of espionage, requiring them to leave within forty-eight hours.)

Don't Say

• 老师把调皮的学生驱逐出了教室 — use 赶出 or 请出 for a teacher removing a student; 驱逐 is reserved for formal expulsions by official authority, such as diplomatic or military actions

Origin & History

驱 (drive away) + 逐 (chase/pursue) — to chase and drive away by force

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal