commandeer
Meaning: To seize or take control of something, especially property or a vehicle, for military or official use, or more informally, to appropriate something without permission.
Commandeer has a dramatic military core but is frequently used with lighter, humorous intent. Police officers commandeer vehicles in pursuit of suspects; a colleague commandeers the best meeting room. The word implies taking something by authority or force rather than by asking. In British journalism, it adds colour and urgency — 'protesters commandeered the stage' sounds more vivid than 'took over.' It always implies an element of boldness or imposition.
Examples
- Armed officers commandeered a passing taxi to pursue the suspect through central London. 武装警察征用了一辆路过的出租车,在伦敦市中心追捕嫌疑人。Los agentes armados requisaron un taxi que pasaba para perseguir al sospechoso por el centro de Londres.武装した警察官はロンドン中心部で容疑者を追跡するため、通りかかったタクシーを徴用した。무장 경찰관들이 런던 도심에서 용의자를 추적하기 위해 지나가던 택시를 징용했다.
- The students commandeered the lecture theatre for their sit-in protest against tuition fee increases. 学生们强行占据了阶梯教室,发起静坐抗议学费上涨。Los estudiantes se apoderaron del aula magna para su sentada de protesta contra la subida de las tasas universitarias.学生たちは授業料値上げに抗議する座り込みのために講義室を占拠した。학생들은 등록금 인상에 항의하는 농성을 위해 강의실을 점거했다.
- She arrived early and commandeered the largest desk in the shared office, much to her colleagues' annoyance. 她早早到达,霸占了共享办公室里最大的桌子,令同事们颇为恼火。Llegó temprano y se apropió del escritorio más grande de la oficina compartida, para gran fastidio de sus compañeros.彼女は早く来て共有オフィスの一番大きな机を占拠し、同僚たちを大いに苛立たせた。그녀는 일찍 도착하여 공유 사무실에서 가장 큰 책상을 차지해버려 동료들을 크게 짜증나게 했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Afrikaans kommandeer, from Dutch commanderen, from French commander (to command), from Latin commandare. Entered English in the early 19th century during the South African colonial period.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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