Chinese word

被困

Pronunciation

Pinyinbèi kùn

Meaning

  • verbbe stranded

Example

我们被困在机场。wǒ men bèi kùn zài jī chǎng

We are stranded at the airport.

Illustration for 被困 (be stranded)

More examples

我被困在电梯里了。wǒ bèi kùn zài diàn tī lǐ le

I got stuck in the elevator.

Core concept

A person remains in a place or situation because an outside barrier keeps the way out closed.

Common phrases

  • 被困在电梯里bèi kùn zài diàn tī lǐ

    be stuck in an elevator

  • 被困在家里bèi kùn zài jiā lǐ

    be stuck at home

Similar words

卡住kǎ zhù: Being stuck because an object or machine is caught or jammed and cannot move.
困住kùn zhù: Being trapped by an outside force or situation and unable to break free.
困在kùn zài: Being shut in a particular place and unable to leave it.

Definition in Chinese

被外在因素暂时困留在某一地点，无法行动或离开的状态。bèi wài zài yīn sù zàn shí kùn liú zài mǒu yí dì diǎn wú fǎ xíng dòng huò lí kāi de zhuàng tài

Word origin

被 (bèi, "passive marker") + 困 (kùn, "trapped") combines a passive marker with the idea of being enclosed, giving the word its sense of being held in place by circumstances.

Usage tips

  • The Chinese expression is broader than travel vocabulary in English and can describe a temporary hold-up in a building, vehicle, or public place.

Other meanings

  • be stuckverb
  • be unable to moveverb

Opposites

  • 逃脱táo tuōescapeverb
  • 脱困tuō kùnget out of troubleverb

Related words

Word lists with this word