HSK · Level 9
135 words
Chinese word
压
Pronunciation
Pinyinyā
Meaning
- verbpress
Example
不要压我的包，里面有东西bú yào yā wǒ de bāo lǐ miàn yǒu dōng xī
Don't press my bag because there's something inside.
More examples
箱子被重物压坏了。xiāng zi bèi zhòng wù yā huài le
The box was crushed by a heavy object.
Core concept
Force bears down on something, making it smaller, flatter, or less free to move, and the same force can limit a person or system.
Common phrases
压坏yā huài
crush
压扁yā biǎn
flatten
压在yā zài
press down on
Similar words
推tuī: Move something away from its starting place by applying force with your hand or arm.
按àn: Push firmly against a surface, such as when flattening something or pressing a button.
挤jǐ: Pack people or things into limited space by forcing them together.
Definition in Chinese
用力挤压某物，使厚度、体积或形状缩小；引申为对人或制度施加精神或外在的压迫。yòng lì jǐ yā mǒu wù shǐ hòu dù tǐ jī huò xíng zhuàng suō xiǎo yǐn shēn wèi duì rén huò zhì dù shī jiā jīng shén huò wài zài de yā pò
Word origin
压 (yā, "press") develops from physical force that lowers or compresses something to a figurative force that weighs on people or controls institutions.
Usage tips
- For everyday speech, a clear object after this verb helps show whether the force acts on a physical item or on a social target.