verb HSK 5
shǐ
to force · to compel · to coerce

Meaning

迫使 means to force or compel someone to do something, often through pressure, circumstances, or necessity. It emphasizes an external force that leaves the subject with no choice but to act in a certain way.

Usage

迫使 is commonly used in formal or written contexts to describe situations where external factors, pressure, or circumstances force a person or entity to take action. It often appears in news reports, academic writing, and formal discussions. The structure is typically 迫使 + object + verb phrase.

Examples

  1. 01
    经济危机迫使公司裁员。
    Jīng wēi shǐ gōng cái yuán.
    The economic crisis forced the company to lay off employees.
  2. 02
    恶劣的天气迫使我们取消了旅行计划。
    È liè de tiān shǐ men xiāo le xíng huà.
    The bad weather forced us to cancel our travel plans.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 迫使...采取
    shǐ ... cǎi
    to force ... to adopt/take
  • 迫使某人做某事
    shǐ mǒu rén zuò mǒu shì
    to force someone to do something
  • 迫使
    bèi shǐ
    to be forced to

Antonyms

Origin

迫 originally meant 'to press close' or 'urgent pressure,' while 使 means 'to cause' or 'to make.' Together they form a compound meaning 'to cause through pressure' or 'to force into action.'

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