Meaning and Usage
The verb 抢劫 (qiǎngjié) specifically means 'to rob' or 'to take by force,' often implying violence or threat. It is commonly used in contexts involving crimes such as bank robberies, street muggings, or other forceful thefts.
Common Collocations
- 抢劫银行 (qiǎngjié yínháng): to rob a bank
- 抢劫案 (qiǎngjié àn): robbery case
- 被抢劫 (bèi qiǎngjié): to be robbed
These collocations are frequently used in news reports and police contexts.
Usage Notes
抢劫 always involves force or threat, distinguishing it from 偷窃 (tōuqiè), which means 'to steal' without confrontation. When using 抢劫, the focus is on the violent or coercive nature of the act.
Common Confusion
Don't confuse 抢劫 with 抢夺 (qiǎngduó), which also means 'to seize' or 'to snatch' but can be less violent or more general. 抢劫 is more specific to criminal robbery involving force.