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绑架 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
绑架bǎngjiàto kidnapHSK 7, v, rank #1305, Hard
绑架bǎngjiàto abductHSK 7, v, rank #1305, Hard
绑架bǎngjiàto hijackHSK 7, v, rank #1305, Hard
绑架bǎngjiàa kidnappingHSK 7, v, rank #1305, Hard
绑架bǎngjiàabductionHSK 7, v, rank #1305, Hard
绑架bǎngjiàstakingHSK 7, v, rank #1305, Hard
bǎngjià(bang3jia4) T3
  1. 1to kidnap
  2. 2to abduct
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March 24, 2026
绑架(綁架)bǎngjià(bang3jia4)

绑架 refers to the act of kidnapping or abducting someone, often with the intention of demanding a ransom or causing harm. This term can also apply to hijacking, indicating a serious criminal offense that is recognized in legal contexts. It is commonly used in news reports and discussions about crime and safety.

Frequency#1305DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese society, kidnapping is taken very seriously, often highlighted in media and films, reflecting societal fears and the importance of safety. The concept of abduction is also tied to discussions of family honor and safety.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'bang' that causes chaos (绑), where a 'jia' (家) represents a home. In this scenario, someone is taken from their home in a dramatic incident. The sound 'bang' connects to the urgency and seriousness of the act, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 绑架

bǎngjià(bang3jia4)
1to kidnap
2to abduct
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About 绑架

绑架Simplified
綁架Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1305Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 绑架

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Podcast: 绑架

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AI Study Notes for 绑架

Quick Contrast

诱拐 (yòuguǎi) refers specifically to luring or enticing someone, often a child, into a situation of abduction, whereas 绑架 (bǎngjià) implies the use of force or threat.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'bang' that causes chaos (绑), where a 'jia' (家) represents a home. In this scenario, someone is taken from their home in a dramatic incident. The sound 'bang' connects to the urgency and seriousness of the act, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Be careful with the tones in this word; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. 绑 (bang3) means to bind, while 劫 (jia4) means to seize or hijack. This word is primarily used in formal contexts, such as legal discussions, rather than casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 绑架 is relevant when discussing complex social issues, crime, or safety. Students should focus on learning related vocabulary, such as 安全 (ānquán, safety) and 罪犯 (zuìfàn, criminal) to enrich their understanding of the topic.

Cultural Note

In Chinese society, kidnapping is taken very seriously, often highlighted in media and films, reflecting societal fears and the importance of safety. The concept of abduction is also tied to discussions of family honor and safety.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 绑架 with similar words like 劫持, leading to incorrect usage in context. For example, saying '我被劫持了' (I was kidnapped) instead of '我被绑架了' (I was abducted) is a common mistake.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 绑架

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Component Characters

bǎngto tie
HSK 79 strokes
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jiàto support
HSK 59 strokes
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Write 绑架

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Grammar Patterns of 绑架

绑架 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 6 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他刚到罗马就遭到了____。

No sooner had he arrived in Rome than he was kidnapped.

Example Sentences for 绑架 (8)

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1
他刚到罗马就遭到了绑架。

tā gāng dào luó mǎ jiù zāo dào le bǎng jià。

No sooner had he arrived in Rome than he was kidnapped.
2
他被指控绑架一名25岁的女子。

tā bèi zhǐ kòng bǎng jià yī míng25 25 suì de nǚ。

He was charged with the kidnap of a 25 year-old woman.
3
已有两名年轻人被逮捕并被控绑架。

yǐ yǒu liǎng míng nián qīng rén bèi dài bǔ bìng bèi kòng bǎng jià。

Two youngsters have been arrested and charged with kidnapping.
4
她说这张模拟画像像极了绑架她的人。

tā shuō zhè zhāng mó nǐ huà xiàng xiàng jí le bǎng jià tā de rén。

She says the artist's impression is an excellent likeness of her abductor.
5
1973年他在罗马居住时,他16岁的儿子遭到了绑架。

1973 1973 nián tā zài luó mǎ jū zhù, shí16 , tā 16 suì de ér zǐ zāo dào。

In 1973, when he lived in Rome, his sixteen-year-old son was kidnapped.
6
她从银行取出1,000英镑,并照绑架者的要求做了.

tā cóng yín háng qǔ chū1,000 1,000 yīng, bàng , bìng zhào bǎng jià zhě de yào qiú.

She withdrew $ 1000 from her bank and followed the kidnapper's instructions.
7
霍尔特侦探说:“绑架者是一名男子,我们必须抓住他,越快越好。”

huò ěr tè zhēn tàn shuō:“ :“ bǎng jià zhě shì yī míng nán, zǐ , wǒ mén bì xū zhuā, zhù tā , yuè。”

Detective Holt said: "The kidnapper is a man we must catch and the sooner the better".
8
他说他遭到矮小的绿种人绑架,这纯粹是无稽之谈.

tā shuō tā zāo dào ǎi xiǎo de lǜ zhǒng rén bǎng jià, , zhè chún cuì shì wú jī zhī.

His story of being kidnapped by little green men was sheer absurdity.

Cultural Notes for 绑架

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese society, kidnapping is taken very seriously, often highlighted in media and films, reflecting societal fears and the importance of safety. The concept of abduction is also tied to discussions of family honor and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions about 绑架

绑架 specifically refers to kidnapping for ransom or harm, while 劫持 is more about hijacking or taking control of a vehicle or transport.