Usage of 押
The character 押 (yā) primarily means "to press" or "to push," but it also has legal and financial meanings such as "to arrest" or "to mortgage."
Common contexts
- Physical action: pressing or pushing something down or holding it in place.
- Legal: to detain or arrest someone.
- Financial: to pledge or mortgage an asset as collateral.
Collocations and patterns
- 押走 (yāzǒu): to arrest and take away.
- 押贷款 (yā dàikuǎn): to mortgage for a loan.
- 押住 (yā zhù): to press down and hold.
Notes
When used in physical contexts, 押 often implies applying pressure to keep something steady. In legal or financial contexts, it implies control or holding rights over a person or property. Avoid confusing 押 with 推 (tuī), which means "to push" but without the nuance of pressing down or detaining.