verb HSK 5
Traditional 踐踏
jiàn
to trample · to tread on · to violate · to trample upon

Meaning

践踏 literally means to step on or trample something with one's feet, causing damage. It's frequently used both literally (trampling grass, flowers) and metaphorically (trampling on rights, dignity, laws). The word carries a strong negative connotation of destruction or violation.

Usage

This is a formal or written-register word often appearing in news, essays, and formal speeches. In metaphorical usage, it commonly collocates with abstract nouns like rights (权利), dignity (尊严), and laws (法律). Native speakers use it to express strong disapproval of violations or disrespect.

Examples

  1. 01
    请勿践踏草坪。
    Qǐng jiàn cǎo píng.
    Please do not trample on the grass.
  2. 02
    任何践踏人权的行为都应该受到谴责。
    Rèn jiàn rén quán de xíng wéi dōu yīng gāi shòu dào qiǎn .
    Any act that tramples on human rights should be condemned.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 践踏草坪
    jiàn cǎo píng
    trample the lawn
  • 践踏人权
    jiàn rén quán
    trample on human rights
  • 践踏尊严
    jiàn zūn yán
    trample on dignity
  • 践踏法律
    jiàn
    trample on the law

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters relate to foot actions. 践 contains the foot radical 足 and originally meant to step on or walk. 踏 also contains 足 and means to step or tread. Together they form an intensified meaning of trampling.

Related