wēixié: 威胁 - Threat, to Threaten, Menace

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• Summary: Learn the Chinese word for “threat,” 威胁 (wēixié). This comprehensive guide covers its meaning as both a noun (a threat) and a verb (to threaten). Discover how 威胁 (wēixié) is used in everyday arguments, business negotiations, and even international politics. Understand its cultural implications, see practical examples, and learn to distinguish it from similar words like “warning” (警告) and “blackmail” (恐吓).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wēi xié
• Part of Speech: Noun / Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A danger or menace; to intimidate or declare an intention to inflict harm.
• In a Nutshell: 威胁 (wēixié) is the direct and serious Chinese equivalent of “threat” or “to threaten.” Whether someone is verbally threatening you, a new company is a threat to your business, or a storm is threatening the coast, 威胁 (wēixié) is the word to use. It carries a heavy weight and is not used for playful or casual warnings.

• 威 (wēi): This character means “power,” “might,” or “prestige.” It conveys a sense of imposing strength and authority. Think of it as the intimidating power someone or something holds.
• 胁 (xié): This character means “to coerce” or “to force.” The radical on the left (月) is a variant of 肉 (ròu), meaning “flesh” or “body,” and the right side is 力 (lì), meaning “strength” or “force.” So, it's literally “applying force to someone's side/body”—a vivid image of coercion.
• Together, 威 (power) + 胁 (coercion) create 威胁 (wēixié), a powerful term that means to use one's might to force or intimidate others.

In Chinese culture, where social harmony and avoiding direct confrontation are often prioritized, issuing a 威胁 (wēixié) is a significant act. It represents a breakdown in communication and a direct challenge that can cause a severe loss of 面子 (miànzi), or “face,” for all parties involved. While in Western cultures, a direct “threat” is also serious, it can sometimes be used more casually or as a negotiation tactic. In a Chinese context, an overt 威胁 (wēixié) is less common in initial disagreements. People often prefer to use more indirect means, like issuing a 警告 (jǐnggào) - “warning,” or 施压 (shīyā) - “applying pressure.” An explicit 威胁 (wēixié) signals that the situation has escalated to a critical point where subtlety is no longer an option. It's a clear, unambiguous, and often final step in a conflict.

威胁 (wēixié) is a versatile word used in many modern contexts.

• As a Verb (to threaten): This is very common in personal disputes, arguments, or official matters. It's a direct action one person takes against another.
  • “He threatened to call the police.”
• As a Noun (a threat): This form is used to describe a person, object, or situation that poses a danger. It is frequently used in business, politics, and news reports.
  • “Cybersecurity is a major threat in the 21st century.”
• Formality: The term is generally neutral to formal. In a casual argument among friends, it can sound overly dramatic. However, in any serious context (legal, business, political), it is the standard and appropriate word.

• Example 1:
  • 你这是在威胁我吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhè shì zài wēixié wǒ ma?
  • English: Are you threatening me?
  • Analysis: A classic and direct response to a perceived threat. Using a question softens it slightly but still shows that you recognize the gravity of the other person's words.
• Example 2:
  • 那个恶棍威胁店主，如果不给钱就砸了他的店。
  • Pinyin: Nàge ègùn wēixié diànzhǔ, rúguǒ bù gěi qián jiù zále tā de diàn.
  • English: That thug threatened the shop owner, saying he would smash up his shop if he didn't give him money.
  • Analysis: This example shows 威胁 (wēixié) used as a verb in a clear narrative of intimidation and crime.
• Example 3:
  • 气候变化是对全人类的严重威胁。
  • Pinyin: Qìhòu biànhuà shì duì quán rénlèi de yánzhòng wēixié.
  • English: Climate change is a serious threat to all of humanity.
  • Analysis: Here, 威胁 (wēixié) is used as a noun to describe a large-scale, impersonal danger. The adjective 严重 (yánzhòng - serious) is often used with it.
• Example 4:
  • 他收到了一个死亡威胁。
  • Pinyin: Tā shōudào le yí ge sǐwáng wēixié.
  • English: He received a death threat.
  • Analysis: This shows how 威胁 (wēixié) can be combined with other nouns to specify the type of threat, just like in English.
• Example 5:
  • 这家新公司的低价策略对我们构成了威胁。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā xīn gōngsī de dījià cèlüè duì wǒmen gòuchéng le wēixié.
  • English: This new company's low-price strategy poses a threat to us.
  • Analysis: A common business usage. The verb 构成 (gòuchéng - to constitute/form) is often used with 威胁 (wēixié) in formal contexts.
• Example 6:
  • 在老板的威胁下，他只好同意了。
  • Pinyin: Zài lǎobǎn de wēixié xià, tā zhǐhǎo tóngyì le.
  • English: Under the boss's threat, he had no choice but to agree.
  • Analysis: Shows the noun form used in the structure “在…下” (zài…xià), meaning “under…”.
• Example 7:
  • 不要被他的话威胁到，他只是虚张声势。
  • Pinyin: Búyào bèi tā de huà wēixié dào, tā zhǐshì xūzhāngshēngshì.
  • English: Don't be threatened by his words, he's just bluffing.
  • Analysis: This uses the passive structure “被…威胁到” (bèi…wēixié dào), meaning “to be threatened by…”.
• Example 8:
  • 任何国家都不能威胁我们的主权。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé guójiā dōu bùnéng wēixié wǒmen de zhǔquán.
  • English: No country can threaten our sovereignty.
  • Analysis: A typical example from international relations and political speech. Very formal and strong.
• Example 9:
  • 缺乏睡眠会威胁你的健康。
  • Pinyin: Quēfá shuìmián huì wēixié nǐ de jiànkāng.
  • English: Lack of sleep will threaten your health.
  • Analysis: A figurative use where an abstract concept (lack of sleep) acts as the agent of the threat.
• Example 10:
  • 我感觉受到了威胁，所以我报了警。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gǎnjué shòudào le wēixié, suǒyǐ wǒ bàole jǐng.
  • English: I felt threatened, so I called the police.
  • Analysis: “受到威胁” (shòudào wēixié) is a common way to say “to feel threatened” or “to be threatened.” It focuses on the recipient's experience.

• 威胁 (wēixié) vs. 警告 (jǐnggào) - Threat vs. Warning:
  • 威胁 (wēixié) implies the speaker will *personally cause* the negative consequence. (“If you don't pay, I will hurt you.”)
  • 警告 (jǐnggào) is often an objective statement about a potential danger or rule violation. (“Warning: The floor is wet.” or “This is your final warning before you are fired.”) A warning advises; a threat coerces.
• 威胁 (wēixié) vs. 恐吓 (kǒnghè) - Threat vs. Intimidation/Blackmail:
  • 恐吓 (kǒnghè) is a more severe and often illegal form of threat. It emphasizes creating fear (恐) to scare (吓) someone into submission. It's the word you'd use for blackmail or extortion. All 恐吓 (kǒnghè) is a form of 威胁 (wēixié), but not all 威胁 (wēixié) is 恐吓 (kǒnghè).
  • Incorrect: “The dark clouds are blackmailing a storm.” (Using 恐吓 for a figurative threat).
  • Correct: “The dark clouds are threatening a storm.” (乌云威胁着一场暴风雨的到来。)
• Common Mistake: Overusing it for mild situations.
  • An English speaker might jokingly say to a friend, “I threaten to eat your pizza if you don't hurry up!” Using 威胁 (wēixié) here would sound strange and overly aggressive. It's too serious for playful banter. In such cases, you would just state the consequence directly without a label.

• 警告 (jǐnggào) - A warning. A less aggressive precursor to a threat.
• 恐吓 (kǒnghè) - To blackmail, intimidate, or extort. A more severe and fear-based type of threat, often with criminal implications.
• 要挟 (yāoxié) - To coerce or blackmail by holding something hostage or using leverage. More specific than 威胁.
• 危险 (wēixiǎn) - Danger; dangerous. This describes a state of being unsafe, whereas 威胁 is the action or statement that *creates* the danger.
• 威慑 (wēishè) - Deterrence. A large-scale threat, usually military or political, meant to prevent another party from acting (e.g., nuclear deterrence).
• 施压 (shīyā) - To apply pressure. A softer, more political or social way to influence someone, less direct than a threat.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face”; social prestige and reputation. A public threat can cause a major loss of face.
• 威力 (wēilì) - Power, might, force. The inherent power that makes a threat credible. It shares the character 威 (wēi).