Meanings of 剥削
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About 剥削
Podcast: 剥削
Podcast: 剥削
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AI Study Notes for 剥削
剥削 (exploit) vs 利用 (utilize) — choose 剥削 when emphasizing unfair advantage over someone, while 利用 suggests a more neutral use of resources or people.
Imagine a farmer (the radical '剥' meaning 'to peel') who is peeling away the layers of an onion (representing workers) to extract the most valuable parts while leaving behind the rest. The farmer is exploiting the onion for profit. The sound 'bō' can remind you of 'bore', as in boring into someone’s rights and 'xuē' sounds like 'squeeze', as in squeezing out value without fair compensation.
Learners often confuse '剥削' with '利用' (to utilize), but '剥削' carries a negative connotation of unfairness. It is more formal and typically used in academic or political discussions rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include '剥削劳动者' (exploitation of laborers) and '剥削制度' (exploitative system).
As an HSK Level 6 word, '剥削' connects well with other terms related to social issues and ethics. Students should focus on understanding its implications in various contexts, particularly in discussions about economy and society, which are prevalent at this level.
'剥削' is often discussed in the context of China's rapid industrialization, where issues of labor rights and exploitation have garnered significant attention in recent decades. Understanding this term can provide insights into ongoing social movements and economic reforms in China.
Learners might misuse '剥削' by applying it to neutral situations, leading to phrases like '剥削市场' (exploiting the market), which lacks the negative implication intended. The correct usage would be more focused on human or labor exploitation, such as '剥削工人' (exploitation of workers).
Pronunciation of 剥削
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 剥削
剥削 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.
Complete the Sentence
那个岛上的居民忍受了数个世纪的____。
The islanders endured centuries of exploitation.
Example Sentences for 剥削 (1)
Cultural Notes for 剥削
'剥削' is often discussed in the context of China's rapid industrialization, where issues of labor rights and exploitation have garnered significant attention in recent decades. Understanding this term can provide insights into ongoing social movements and economic reforms in China.
In Western cultures, exploitation often centers around corporate practices and labor laws, while in China, it can also reflect historical and systemic issues related to economic development and social hierarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions about 剥削
While both terms imply unfair treatment, '剥削' specifically refers to exploitation for economic gain, whereas '压迫' (yā pò) means oppression, which can encompass broader forms of control and repression.