Definition
保护费 refers to money extorted by organized crime groups from businesses or individuals in exchange for 'protection' from harm. It's a culturally loaded term tied to underworld activity and illegal racketeering, not a legitimate fee. In mainland Chinese media and law, it's associated with 黑社会 (mafia) and 敲诈勒索 (extortion).
n.
protection money (extorted by criminals)
Examples
- 保护费。Zhè tiáo jiē de shānghù měi gè yuè dōu yào jiāo bǎo hù fèi.The shopkeepers on this street have to pay protection money every month.
- 保护费。Jǐngchá dàibǔ le shōu bǎo hù fèi de fànzuì tuánhuǒ.The police arrested the criminal gang that collected protection money.
- 保护费。Tā yīnwèi jùjué jiāo bǎo hù fèi ér zāodào le wēixié.He was threatened because he refused to pay protection money.
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