Chinese word

威慑

Pronunciation

Pinyinwēi shè

Meaning

  • verbintimidate

Example

那些话只是想用来威慑我们。nà xiē huà zhǐ shì xiǎng yòng lái wēi shè wǒ men

Those words are only meant to intimidate us.

Illustration for 威慑 (intimidate)

More examples

政府通过严厉处罚来威慑违反者。zhèng fǔ tōng guò yán lì chǔ fá lái wēi shè wéi fán zhě

The government uses severe punishments to deter violators.

Core concept

Power is used as a warning that holds another person back through fear.

Common phrases

  • 威慑犯罪分子wēi shè fàn zuì fèn zǐ

    intimidate criminals

  • 以刑罚威慑潜在违法者yǐ xíng fá wēi shè qián zài wéi fá zhě

    deter potential offenders with penalties

Similar words

威胁wēi xié: Suggesting that harm will follow unless someone does what is demanded.
震慑zhèn shè: Using overwhelming force or influence to break someone's resolve and stop them from acting.
恐吓kǒng hè: Making someone afraid through a direct threat in words or actions.

Definition in Chinese

用威势、力量或可能的后果使对方产生畏惧，从而不敢采取行动或反抗。yòng wēi shì lì liàng huò kě néng de hòu guǒ shǐ duì fāng chǎn shēng wèi jù cóng ér bù gǎn cái qǔ xíng dòng huò fǎn kàng

Word origin

The word combines 威 (wēi, "might") with 慑 (shè, "frighten"), linking powerful pressure to the fear that stops resistance.

Usage tips

  • The word fits descriptions of governments, armies, or serious confrontations especially well, while ordinary teasing usually needs a more casual expression.

Other meanings

  • threatenverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 威慑力wēi shè lìdeterrent forcenoun
  • 威慑作用wēi shè zuò yòngdeterrent effectnoun

Word lists with this word