Definition
挟持 (xiéchí) means to take someone hostage by force, often with a weapon, or to hijack a vehicle with people inside. It emphasizes holding the victim under duress as a bargaining chip. 绑架 (bǎngjià) is a broader term for kidnapping (often for ransom), while 劫持 (jiéchí) is more common for hijacking vehicles or aircraft.
verb
to take (a person) hostageto kidnapto hijack (a vehicle with people)
Easily confused
- 扶持fú chílook-aliketo support (through policy, assistance, or physical help); to aid; to foster
Examples
- 挟持。Bǎngfěi xié chí le tā zuòwéi rénzhì.The kidnapper took him hostage.
- 挟持，。Tā shìtú xié chí yí wèi fùnǚ, dàn bèi jǐngchá zhuā zhù le.He tried to take a woman hostage but was caught by police.
- 挟持。Zhè cì xié chí shìjiàn zhènjīng le zhěng gè guójiā.This hostage-taking incident shocked the whole country.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.