qīnlüè: 侵略 - Aggression, Invasion

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• Summary: Learn the powerful Chinese word 侵略 (qīnlüè), meaning “aggression” or “invasion.” This entry explores its core definition, character origins, and profound cultural significance tied to China's modern history. Discover how 侵略 (qīnlüè) is used in political discourse and figurative language, and learn to distinguish it from similar terms like `进攻 (jìngōng)`. This guide is essential for any learner wanting to understand the deep historical and emotional context behind this critical term.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qīnlüè
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: 5
• Concise Definition: To unlawfully invade, attack, or encroach upon the territory, sovereignty, or rights of another country.
• In a Nutshell: 侵略 (qīnlüè) is not a neutral word for a military attack. It's a heavy, formal term loaded with moral condemnation. It describes an unjust, predatory act of aggression where a stronger power violates a weaker one. The word carries a deep sense of historical grievance and victimhood, primarily rooted in China's experiences in the 19th and 20th centuries. Think of it as “unjustified, imperialist aggression” rather than just “invasion.”

• 侵 (qīn): This character means “to encroach” or “to invade.” The left side is the “person” radical (亻), and the right side originally depicted a hand holding a broom (帚), suggesting someone sweeping into or taking over another's space.
• 略 (lüè): This character means “to plunder” or “to seize.” It's composed of the “field” radical (田) on the left and “each” (各) on the right, creating the image of seizing each and every piece of land.

When combined, 侵略 (qīnlüè) paints a vivid picture of “encroaching and plundering”—a hostile, violent takeover of land, resources, and sovereignty.

The term 侵略 (qīnlüè) is one of the most emotionally and historically charged words in the modern Chinese vocabulary. Its significance is inextricably linked to what is known in China as the “Century of Humiliation” (百年国耻, bǎinián guóchǐ), a period from the mid-19th to mid-20th century when China was subjected to invasions, unequal treaties, and colonial subjugation by foreign powers. The most prominent event associated with 侵略 is the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), which is known in China as the 抗日战争 (Kàng Rì Zhànzhēng)—literally “The War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.” For modern China, the Japanese 侵略 of that era is a foundational historical narrative, taught in schools, depicted in films, and commemorated in national memorials. Comparison with “Invasion”: In English, the word “invasion” can sometimes be used in neutral or even positive, metaphorical ways (e.g., “the British Invasion” of 1960s pop music, an “invasion of privacy”). 侵略 (qīnlüè) does not have this flexibility. It is always negative, always refers to a large-scale political/military act, and always implies the action is immoral and unjust. Using it in a lighthearted or neutral way is impossible and would be deeply inappropriate. It reflects a core value in modern Chinese political thought: the inviolability of national sovereignty.

Due to its serious nature, 侵略 (qīnlüè) is used in specific, formal contexts.

• Historical and Political Discourse: This is its primary domain. It's used constantly in news reports, government statements, historical documentaries, and academic texts to condemn past or present military actions by foreign powers.
• Figurative Aggression: While less common, the term can be extended metaphorically.
  • 经济侵略 (jīngjì qīnlüè): Economic aggression (e.g., describing hostile takeovers or predatory trade practices).
  • 文化侵略 (wénhuà qīnlüè): Cultural aggression (e.g., arguing that foreign media is eroding local cultural values).
• Connotation and Formality: The connotation is unequivocally negative. It is a formal, serious word used in writing or formal speech. You would not use it in casual, everyday conversation unless the topic itself is serious, such as a discussion about war or history.

• Example 1:
  • 我们坚决反对任何形式的侵略。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jiānjué fǎnduì rènhé xíngshì de qīnlüè.
  • English: We resolutely oppose any form of aggression.
  • Analysis: A common phrase in political statements. It uses 侵略 as a noun to refer to the general concept of aggression.
• Example 2:
  • 这是赤裸裸的侵略行为。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì chìluǒluǒ de qīnlüè xíngwéi.
  • English: This is a naked act of aggression.
  • Analysis: The adjective 赤裸裸 (chìluǒluǒ - “naked” or “blatant”) is often used with 侵略 to emphasize how shameless and obvious the act is.
• Example 3:
  • 历史不会忘记侵略者的罪行。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ bú huì wàngjì qīnlüèzhě de zuìxíng.
  • English: History will not forget the crimes of the aggressors.
  • Analysis: The suffix 者 (zhě) turns the verb/noun 侵略 into “one who does the action,” so 侵略者 means “aggressor” or “invader.”
• Example 4:
  • 那场侵略战争给人民带来了深重的灾难。
  • Pinyin: Nà chǎng qīnlüè zhànzhēng gěi rénmín dàilái le shēnzhòng de zāinàn.
  • English: That war of aggression brought profound disaster to the people.
  • Analysis: 侵略战争 (qīnlüè zhànzhēng) is a common collocation, meaning “war of aggression,” distinguishing it from a war of defense or a civil war.
• Example 5:
  • 他们的军队侵略了我们的领土。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de jūnduì qīnlüè le wǒmen de lǐngtǔ.
  • English: Their army invaded our territory.
  • Analysis: Here, 侵略 is used as a verb, “to invade.” The particle 了 (le) indicates the completion of the action.
• Example 6:
  • 面对侵略，我们必须奋起反抗。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì qīnlüè, wǒmen bìxū fènqǐ fǎnkàng.
  • English: In the face of aggression, we must rise up and resist.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the typical response expected in the context of 侵略: 反抗 (fǎnkàng - to resist).
• Example 7:
  • 这家跨国公司的行为被批评为经济侵略。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā kuàguó gōngsī de xíngwéi bèi pīpíng wéi jīngjì qīnlüè.
  • English: This multinational corporation's actions were criticized as economic aggression.
  • Analysis: A clear example of the figurative use of 侵略 in a non-military context.
• Example 8:
  • 教科书记载了那段被侵略的历史。
  • Pinyin: Jiàokēshū jìzǎi le nà duàn bèi qīnlüè de lìshǐ.
  • English: The textbooks record that period of history of being invaded.
  • Analysis: The passive marker 被 (bèi) is used here to show that the subject (China, implied) was the recipient of the action of 侵略.
• Example 9:
  • 保护文化多样性，警惕文化侵略。
  • Pinyin: Bǎohù wénhuà duōyàngxìng, jǐngtì wénhuà qīnlüè.
  • English: Protect cultural diversity and be vigilant against cultural aggression.
  • Analysis: Another figurative example, often seen in discussions about globalization and the influence of Western media.
• Example 10:
  • 任何侵略他国主权的行为都应受到谴责。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé qīnlüè tāguó zhǔquán de xíngwéi dōu yīng shòudào qiǎnzé.
  • English: Any act of aggression against another country's sovereignty should be condemned.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the legal and moral dimensions of 侵略, linking it to the concept of sovereignty (主权, zhǔquán).

• `侵略 (qīnlüè)` vs. `进攻 (jìngōng)`
  • This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • 侵略 (qīnlüè) means “unjust invasion/aggression” and carries heavy moral condemnation. It is about violating sovereignty.
  • 进攻 (jìngōng) means “to attack” or “an offensive.” It is a neutral military term describing the action of advancing on an enemy. A football team can be on the `进攻` (offense), and an army can launch a `进攻` as part of a justified counter-attack. You would never use `侵略` in these contexts.
  • Correct: 我们的军队发起了进攻。 (Wǒmen de jūnduì fāqǐ le jìngōng.) - Our army launched an attack.
  • Incorrect: 我们的军队发起了侵略。 (This would mean “Our army launched an act of aggression,” implying your own army is the unjust villain.)
• False Friend: Personal “Aggression”
  • In English, “aggression” can describe a personality trait (e.g., “He's a very aggressive salesman,” “The dog shows aggression.”).
  • 侵略 (qīnlüè) is not used for personal behavior. It is reserved for state-level military, political, or economic actions.
  • Incorrect: 他很有侵略性。 (Tā hěn yǒu qīnlüè xìng.)
  • Correct: 他很有攻击性 (Tā hěn yǒu gōngjīxìng) or 他很好斗 (Tā hěn hàodòu). - He is very aggressive/belligerent.

• 进攻 (jìngōng) - To attack, offensive. A neutral military term that is a crucial point of contrast with `侵略`.
• 入侵 (rùqīn) - To invade. A very close synonym of `侵略` and often used interchangeably. `入侵` may focus slightly more on the act of “entering,” while `侵略` carries a stronger sense of “plundering” and injustice.
• 侵犯 (qīnfàn) - To violate, infringe upon. A broader term used for violating things like rights (权利), sovereignty (主权), or privacy (隐私). `侵略` is a specific, severe type of `侵犯`.
• 殖民 (zhímín) - To colonize, colonization. A specific form of long-term `侵略` involving settlement and political control.
• 战争 (zhànzhēng) - War. The general category of conflict in which `侵略` occurs.
• 和平 (hépíng) - Peace. The direct antonym and desired alternative to `侵略` and war.
• 反抗 (fǎnkàng) - To resist, revolt. The common response to `侵略` from the victim's perspective.
• 帝国主义 (dìguózhǔyì) - Imperialism. The political ideology often seen as the driving force behind acts of `侵略`.
• 主权 (zhǔquán) - Sovereignty. The core concept that `侵略` violates.
• 百年国耻 (bǎinián guóchǐ) - The Century of Humiliation. The historical period that gives `侵略` its powerful emotional weight in China.