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中文
威胁 — meaning in English: Threat
wēixié · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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threat
威胁
wēixié
弱点
ruòdiǎn
经济
jīngjì
下降
xiàjiàng
债务
zhàiwù
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neutral
common
Usage
The word 威胁 (wēixié) is often used in discussions about security, politics, and interpersonal relationships. For instance, a politician might refer to a foreign entity as a威胁 to national security during a speech, or friends might discuss the威胁 posed by a toxic relationship in a casual conversation.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is '危险' (wēixiǎn), which means 'danger.' While '威胁' implies a potential or impending threat that could cause harm, '危险' suggests an immediate risk. Therefore, you would use '威胁' when discussing something that may become a threat over time, while '危险' is more suited for situations that are currently perilous.
Culture
威胁 (wēixié) directly translates to 'threat' and has roots in classical Chinese, where it originally denoted danger or intimidation. In modern times, it has broadened its usage to encompass not just physical threats but also psychological and social dangers, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life in China.
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