Meaning
捍 is a formal, literary verb meaning to defend or protect something important, often used in contexts involving rights, principles, territory, or dignity. It conveys a sense of resolute, determined protection against threats or violations.
Usage
This character is primarily used in formal written Chinese and appears most commonly in the compound 捍卫 (hànwèi). It carries a serious, dignified tone and is often used in political, legal, or philosophical contexts when discussing the protection of important values or territories. Native speakers rarely use 捍 alone in casual conversation.
Examples
- 01我们要捍卫国家的领土完整。.We must defend the territorial integrity of our nation.
- 02每个公民都有权利捍卫自己的合法权益。.Every citizen has the right to defend their legitimate rights and interests.
Common collocations
- 捍卫主权to defend sovereignty
- 捍卫尊严to defend dignity
- 捍卫权利to defend rights
Antonyms
Origin
The character 捍 consists of the hand radical 扌(手) on the left and 旱 (hàn, drought) on the right. The hand component suggests action or defense, while the phonetic component 旱 provides the pronunciation.