侵 qīn to invade
to invade; to encroach upon; to raid
How to remember 侵: 亻 person + 𠬶 broom in hand = to invade. The old person next door rushes out, broom in hand, at the kids who climb her fence every summer to invade her cherry garden.
Component breakdown
侵 = 亻 person + 𠬶 broom in hand
- 亻 person
- 𠬶 broom in hand
The old person next door rushes out, broom in hand, at the kids who climb her fence every summer to invade her cherry garden.
How it is used
- To encroach on what isn't yours - territory, rights, or gradually - 侵略 (qīnlüè) to invade (a country), 侵犯 (qīnfàn) to violate/infringe, 侵占 (qīnzhàn) to seize.
- 侵略 is armed aggression against a nation; 侵犯 is violating rights/boundaries (侵犯隐私 invade privacy).
- Also gradual creeping - 侵蚀 (qīnshí) to erode; the common thread is unwanted intrusion.