袭击

• Pinyin: xí jī
• Hanzi breakdown: 袭 = 龙 + 衣 (dragon + garment — to overlay, to make a surprise move upon); 击 = 凵 + 又 (receptacle/target + hand — to strike, hit)

Meaning

To attack; to assault; a surprise attack. An unexpected, violent assault on a person, place, or target.

Used in military, security, and news contexts. 袭 implies a sudden, often stealthy attack; 击 means to strike. Broader than 攻击 in that 袭击 specifically emphasises the surprise or sudden nature. Common in journalism reporting on terrorism, military operations, and crime.

Examples

1. 据报道，武装分子对该村庄发动了突然袭击，造成数名村民伤亡。 According to reports, armed militants launched a surprise attack on the village, causing casualties among several villagers.
2. 海上强台风袭击了沿海城市，数千居民被迫紧急疏散。 A powerful typhoon struck the coastal city, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate urgently.
3. 安全部门迅速行动，成功挫败了一起针对重要基础设施的蓄谋袭击。 Security forces moved quickly and successfully foiled a planned attack targeting key infrastructure.

Usage Guide

Context: military, security, journalism, news, crime

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 分析人士指出，低成本小型无人机对补给线的饱和袭击，已经改变现代非对称战争，传统防空也更吃力。(Analysts pointed out that the saturation attacks by low-cost small drones on supply lines have changed modern asymmetric warfare, and traditional air defense is finding it harder to cope.)
• 调查报告披露，这次针对金融系统的网络袭击先从钓鱼邮件入侵管理员账户，再横向渗透到核心网络。(The investigation report revealed that this cyber attack on the financial system first infiltrated an administrator account through phishing emails, then moved laterally into the core network.)

Don't Say

• 袭击 for a verbal attack or criticism — use 抨击 or 批评 for attacks on ideas, policies, or reputations; 袭击 implies physical violence or targeted harmful action, and using it metaphorically can create ambiguity or sound sensationalist in non-physical contexts

Origin & History

袭 = 龙 + 衣 (dragon + clothing — originally meant to put on clothing over another; extended to mean to follow upon, then to make a surprise attack upon); 击 = 凵 + 又 (receptacle + hand — to strike)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal