劫持 jiéchí to kidnap
to kidnap; to hijack; to abduct; to hold under duress
How to remember 劫持: 劫 to take by force + 持 maintain = to kidnap.
Characters
How it is used
- To hijack/abduct and hold under duress - 劫持人质 (jiéchí rénzhì) take hostages; 劫持飞机 hijack a plane.
- Criminal/violent register; object can be a person, plane, vehicle held by force.
- Distinct from 绑架 (bǎngjià, kidnap for ransom); 劫持 stresses seizing and holding under threat.