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March 24, 2026
威胁(威脅)wēixié(wei1xie2)
威胁 (wēi xié) refers to the act of threatening or menacing someone, often implying a sense of danger or intimidation. It can be used in various contexts, including personal interactions, political discourse, or discussions about safety and security.
Frequency#968DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
威胁 can often be seen in discussions surrounding social issues in China, such as environmental threats or public safety concerns, reflecting the importance of community well-being in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce warrior (威) holding a sword, casting a shadow of fear over a village (胁). The character's left side (威) stands for power, while the right (胁) suggests a situation of pressure or uncomfortableness, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 威胁
wēixié(wei1xie2)
1to threaten
2to menace
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About 威胁
威胁Simplified
威脅Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#968Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 威胁
Podcast: 威胁
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AI Study Notes for 威胁
Quick Contrast
威胁 (wēixié) vs 恐吓 (kǒnghè) — use 威胁 for general threats or menaces, while 恐吓 specifically implies intimidation through fear.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fierce warrior (威) holding a sword, casting a shadow of fear over a village (胁). The character's left side (威) stands for power, while the right (胁) suggests a situation of pressure or uncomfortableness, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using 威胁 in contexts that require a softer term, such as 'to suggest' or 'to advise.' It is generally used in formal or serious contexts. Be mindful of the tone: 威 (wēi) is high, while 胁 (xié) is rising; confusion can alter the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 威胁 connects with other vocabulary related to safety and conflict. Students should focus on using it in sentences about personal or societal threats and explore synonyms like 恐吓 (kǒng hè), which means 'to intimidate.'
Cultural Note
威胁 can often be seen in discussions surrounding social issues in China, such as environmental threats or public safety concerns, reflecting the importance of community well-being in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 威胁 with the more casual term 威逼 (wēi bī), which implies coercion rather than a straightforward threat. Always ensure the context suits the severity implied by 威胁.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 威胁
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Grammar Patterns of 威胁
威胁 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In industry, a worker who is grossly insubordinate is threatened with discharge.
7
他威胁说如果她拒绝服从就剥夺她的继承权。
tā wēi xié shuō rú guǒ tā jù jué fú cóng jiù bāo duó tā de jì chéng quán。
He threatened to disinherit her if she refused to obey.
8
她威胁说如果他离开她，她就将他双重人格的生活方式公之于众。
tā wēi xié shuō rú guǒ tā lí kāi tā， ， tā jiù jiāng tā shuāng zhòng rén gé de shēng huó fāng shì gōng zhī yú。
She threatened to publicly expose his double life if he left her.
9
他指控她曾威胁要挖出他的眼睛。
tā zhǐ kòng tā zēng wēi xié yào wā chū tā de yǎn jīng。
He has accused her of threatening to gouge his eyes out.
10
他们威胁将他驱逐出他的移居国。
tā mén wēi xié jiāng tā qū zhú chū tā de yí jū guó。
They threatened to expel him from his adoptive country.
Cultural Notes for 威胁
🏮Cultural insight
威胁 can often be seen in discussions surrounding social issues in China, such as environmental threats or public safety concerns, reflecting the importance of community well-being in Chinese society.
Frequently Asked Questions about 威胁
You can say, '他威胁我不去参加会议' (He threatened me not to attend the meeting).
Yes, 威胁 is usually used in formal contexts, especially when discussing serious matters like crime or politics.
Some synonyms include 恐吓 (kǒng hè) and 威逼 (wēi bī), which also convey intimidation.
