The term 侵权 (qīnquán) is a critical concept in modern Chinese, particularly within the realms of law, business, and digital media. At its core, it is a compound verb-object construction where 侵 (qīn) means to invade, encroach, or trespass, and 权 (quán) refers to rights, power, or authority. Together, they describe the act of violating or infringing upon someone else's legal rights. This isn't just limited to physical property; in the 21st century, it most frequently refers to intellectual property (IP), such as copyright, patents, and trademarks. When you hear this word in a professional context, it often carries a weight of legal liability and formal dispute. However, it has also seeped into everyday conversation, especially among content creators, social media users, and consumers who are increasingly aware of their creative ownership.
- Legal Definition
- In the Chinese legal system, 侵权 refers to a civil wrong (tort) that causes a claimant to suffer loss or harm, resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act. It is the standard term used in the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China to cover everything from defamation to patent infringement.
未经许可使用他人的图片属于侵权行为。(Using others' images without permission constitutes an act of infringement.)
Understanding the nuance of 侵权 requires looking at the digital landscape in China. With the rise of platforms like WeChat, Douyin, and Bilibili, the term is frequently used to describe "reposting without credit" or "stealing content." If a YouTuber finds their video re-uploaded to a Chinese site without their consent, they would claim that the uploader is guilty of 侵权. It is a word that balances between a cold, legalistic term and a passionate cry for fairness in the creative community. It is also used in the context of personality rights, such as using a celebrity's face in an advertisement without a contract. In such cases, the celebrity's agency would likely issue a statement claiming 侵权 and threatening legal action.
- Intellectual Property Context
- This is perhaps the most common domain for the word. It encompasses 著作权侵权 (copyright infringement), 专利侵权 (patent infringement), and 商标侵权 (trademark infringement). Companies spend millions of RMB annually to prevent 侵权 of their brand identity.
这家公司因为侵权被法院起诉了。(This company was sued by the court due to infringement.)
In summary, 侵权 is an essential word for anyone navigating the Chinese professional world. It signifies a breach of the social and legal contract regarding what belongs to whom. Whether you are a photographer protecting your work or a business manager ensuring compliance, you will encounter 侵权 as the primary descriptor for unauthorized use. It reflects China's growing emphasis on the rule of law and the protection of individual and corporate assets in an increasingly globalized economy. When you use it, you sound authoritative and aware of your rights.
- Social Media Usage
- On platforms like Weibo, users often tag official accounts to report 侵权 content. The phrase '侵权必究' (infringement will be prosecuted) is a common warning found in the bios of many artists and writers to deter people from stealing their work.
如果发现有人侵权，请立即联系我们。(If you find someone infringing, please contact us immediately.)
Using 侵权 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical versatility. In Chinese, it functions as a separable verb (离合词) in some contexts, but more often as a standard transitive verb or a noun within a phrase. One of the most common structures is 构成侵权 (gòuchéng qīnquán), which means 'to constitute infringement.' This is the standard way to state that an action has legally crossed the line. For example, '这种行为已经构成了侵权' (This behavior has already constituted infringement). Another vital structure is 涉嫌侵权 (shèxián qīnquán), meaning 'to be suspected of infringement,' which is used by journalists and lawyers before a final court ruling has been made to avoid defamation claims.
- Common Verb Patterns
- 1. [Subject] + 侵权 + [Object's Rights]: 这种软件侵权了我们的专利 (This software infringed our patent).
2. [Action] + 属于 + 侵权行为: 盗图属于侵权行为 (Stealing images belongs to infringing behavior).
3. [Person] + 因 + 侵权 + 被罚款: 他因侵权被罚款五万元 (He was fined 50,000 yuan for infringement).
那家电影网站因为长期侵权而被关闭了。(That movie website was shut down because of long-term infringement.)
When 侵权 is used as a modifier for nouns, it typically describes the nature of an object or a person. For instance, 侵权产品 (qīnquán chǎnpǐn) refers to infringing products (counterfeits or IP-violating goods), and 侵权人 (qīnquán rén) refers to the infringer or the tortfeasor. In formal documents, you will see 侵权责任 (qīnquán zérèn), which means 'tort liability.' If you are writing a formal email to request the removal of stolen content, you might use the phrase 停止侵权 (tíngzhǐ qīnquán), meaning 'cease the infringement.' This is a firm but professional command. For example: '请立即停止您的侵权行为' (Please stop your infringing behavior immediately).
- Adjectival Use
- You can describe a piece of content as '侵权的' (infringing). For example: '这是一段侵权的视频' (This is an infringing video). However, it is more idiomatic in Chinese to say '涉嫌侵权的视频' to be more precise.
为了避免侵权，我们在引用时必须注明出处。(To avoid infringement, we must cite the source when quoting.)
In more complex sentences, 侵权 often interacts with the word 损害 (sǔnhài), meaning damage or harm. You might see the phrase 侵权损害赔偿 (qīnquán sǔnhài péicháng), which translates to 'compensation for damages resulting from infringement.' This is common in news reports regarding high-stakes lawsuits between tech giants. For students, the key is to remember that 侵权 is not just a 'mistake' (错误) or 'theft' (偷窃); it is a specific legal violation of a right (权). Using it correctly shows that you understand the legal boundaries of ownership and the formal consequences of crossing them.
- Common Collocations
- - 恶意侵权 (èyì qīnquán): Malicious infringement.
- 侵权纠纷 (qīnquán jiūfēn): Infringement dispute.
- 构成侵权 (gòuchéng qīnquán): To constitute infringement.
如果你的作品被侵权了，你应该学会用法律武器保护自己。(If your work is infringed upon, you should learn to use legal weapons to protect yourself.)
In daily life in China, you will encounter 侵权 in several distinct environments. The most prominent is the digital and social media sphere. Whenever a popular TV show or movie is released, platforms like Tencent Video or iQIYI will issue warnings about 侵权 to prevent unauthorized streaming. You'll see banners or pop-up notifications stating that 'any unauthorized distribution constitutes 侵权.' Similarly, on short-video apps like Douyin (TikTok), creators often talk about their videos being 'shui' (搬运 - moved/re-uploaded) by others, which they label as 侵权. This has led to a widespread public discourse on 'originality' (原创) versus 'infringement.'
- In the News
- News broadcasts frequently cover high-profile legal battles. You might hear: '某知名品牌状告某公司商标侵权' (A famous brand sues a company for trademark infringement). These stories often focus on the amount of compensation (赔偿金额) and the impact on the industry, making 侵权 a buzzword in economic news.
昨晚的新闻报道了一起重大的专利侵权案。(Last night's news reported a major patent infringement case.)
Another place you'll hear this word is in corporate offices and legal departments. During business negotiations or contract reviews, lawyers will scrutinize clauses to ensure there is no risk of 侵权. If a company is developing a new product, the R&D team will perform a 'freedom to operate' search to avoid infringing on existing patents. In this professional setting, the word is used with precision and caution. You might hear a manager say, '我们需要确保这个设计不会造成侵权' (We need to ensure this design won't cause infringement). It's a word that signals risk management and professional integrity.
- In Academic and Creative Circles
- Universities and publishing houses are hotbeds for this term. Plagiarism (抄袭) is a form of 侵权. Professors warn students that failing to properly cite sources is not just an academic error but a potential 侵权 issue if the work is published. Authors often discuss how to protect their '著作权' (copyright) from being infringed by pirate websites.
在学术论文中，不注明出处可能被视为侵权。(In academic papers, failing to cite sources may be regarded as infringement.)
Finally, you might hear it in entertainment and celebrity gossip. When a celebrity's private photos are leaked or their name is used to sell a product without their consent, their legal team will issue a '律师函' (lawyer's letter) citing 侵权 of their '肖像权' (portrait rights) or '名誉权' (reputation rights). Fans will often use the term on social media to defend their idols, saying things like '拒绝侵权，支持正版' (Reject infringement, support the original/official version). This shows how the word has become a part of the general public's vocabulary for expressing moral and legal disapproval of unauthorized use.
- On E-commerce Platforms
- If you try to sell a fake 'Disney' toy on Taobao, you will receive an '侵权警告' (infringement warning). The platform uses automated algorithms to detect keywords and images that might be infringing on famous brands.
网店老板最怕收到侵权通知，因为这可能导致店铺被封。(Online shop owners are most afraid of receiving infringement notices because it could lead to the shop being banned.)
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 侵权 (qīnquán) with its close cousin 侵犯 (qīnfàn). While they both mean 'to infringe' or 'to violate,' they are used in different grammatical structures and contexts. 侵犯 is a transitive verb that *must* be followed by an object, such as '侵犯人权' (violate human rights) or '侵犯隐私' (invade privacy). In contrast, 侵权 is often used as a standalone noun or a verb-object compound that describes the *act* of violating a right. You can say '他侵犯了我的权利' (He violated my rights), but you would say '他的行为构成了侵权' (His behavior constitutes infringement). Using 侵权 as a direct verb for 'privacy' (侵权隐私) is technically incorrect; you should use 侵犯 instead.
- Confusion with 'Stealing'
- Another mistake is using '偷' (tōu - to steal) when 侵权 is more appropriate. While 侵权 involves taking something that isn't yours, '偷' usually refers to physical property. If someone copies your software code, it is more accurate to call it 侵权 rather than 偷, as you still possess the original code, but your exclusive rights to it have been violated.
错误：他侵权了我的隐私。(Incorrect: He infringed my privacy.)
正确：他侵犯了我的隐私。(Correct: He invaded my privacy.)
A subtle mistake involves the use of 盗版 (dàobǎn). Learners often use 侵权 and 盗版 interchangeably. While related, they are not the same. 盗版 specifically refers to 'piracy' or 'illegal copies' of media and software. 侵权 is a much broader legal term that includes 盗版 but also covers things like using a patented manufacturing process or using a similar-looking logo. If you are talking about a fake DVD, 盗版 is the specific term; if you are talking about the legal case against the seller, 侵权 is the better term. Using the broad term when a specific one is available can make your Chinese sound a bit vague.
- Grammatical Misplacement
- Learners often treat 侵权 as a simple adjective like 'bad' or 'wrong.' You cannot say '这个行为很侵权' (This behavior is very infringing). Instead, you must say '这个行为具有侵权性质' (This behavior has an infringing nature) or '这是侵权行为' (This is an infringing behavior).
错误：他的做法太侵权了。(Incorrect: His way of doing things is too infringing.)
正确：他的做法构成了侵权。(Correct: His way of doing things constitutes infringement.)
Finally, watch out for the word 抄袭 (chāoxí), which means 'plagiarism.' In academic contexts, students might use 侵权 when they specifically mean 抄袭. While plagiarism is a form of 侵权, 抄袭 specifically describes the act of copying someone else's writing or ideas and passing them off as one's own. In a university setting, using the word 抄袭 is much more common and precise than using the legalistic 侵权. Understanding these distinctions will help you navigate different social and professional hierarchies in China with more natural-sounding language.
- Summary of Distinctions
- - Use 侵犯 for people's space, privacy, or general rights.
- Use 侵权 for legal/IP violations.
- Use 抄袭 for copying text/ideas.
- Use 盗版 for pirated goods.
如果你只是模仿别人的风格，那不一定算侵权，但可能被指责为抄袭。(If you just imitate someone's style, it's not necessarily infringement, but it might be accused of plagiarism.)
To truly master the use of 侵权, it is helpful to compare it with other words that occupy the same semantic space. The most common alternative is 侵犯 (qīnfàn). As discussed, 侵犯 is broader and can apply to physical boundaries or abstract concepts like 'sovereignty' (侵犯主权) or 'dignity' (侵犯尊严). 侵权 is specifically about legal rights (权). If you are talking about a country entering another country's territory, you use 侵犯, never 侵权. However, if you are talking about a company using a patented technology, both can be used, but 侵权 is the more professional choice for the legal act itself.
- Comparison: 侵权 vs. 抄袭
- 侵权: A broad legal term for violating any right (IP, portrait, etc.). Focuses on the legal breach.
抄袭: Specifically refers to copying creative work (writing, music, art). Focuses on the act of imitation without credit.
虽然他的小说没有直接侵权，但读者们都认为他抄袭了经典作品。(Although his novel didn't directly infringe, readers all believe he plagiarized a classic work.)
Another related word is 盗用 (dàoyòng), which means 'to use illegally' or 'to embezzle.' This is often used for identity theft (盗用身份) or using someone's account/money without permission. While 侵权 focuses on the violation of the *right* to that identity or account, 盗用 focuses on the *act* of using it. For example, if someone uses your photo to create a fake profile, they are 盗用 your photo, and this act constitutes 侵权 of your portrait rights. Then there is 违约 (wéiyuē), meaning 'breach of contract.' This is often confused with 侵权 in business settings. If you have a contract and you break it, it's 违约. If you have no contract but you use someone's IP anyway, it's 侵权. Some cases can involve both!
- Comparison: 侵权 vs. 盗版
- 侵权: The legal category. A lawsuit will be for 'infringement.'
盗版: The physical or digital object. You 'buy' a 盗版 DVD, but you 'commit' 侵权.
销售盗版软件是典型的侵权行为。(Selling pirated software is a typical act of infringement.)
Finally, consider 损害 (sǔnhài) and 侵害 (qīnghài). 损害 means 'to damage' or 'to harm' (often used for reputation or interests). 侵害 is very similar to 侵犯 but often implies a more active, harmful assault on rights or interests. In legal texts, '侵害他人合法权益' (infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of others) is a very common set phrase. Choosing between these words depends on whether you want to emphasize the legal right (侵权), the act of copying (抄袭/盗版), the act of using (盗用), or the general violation (侵犯/侵害). Mastering these will make your Chinese precise and sophisticated.
- Summary Table
- - 侵权: Legal focus on rights.
- 侵犯: General focus on violation/invasion.
- 抄袭: Creative focus on copying.
- 盗用: Focus on unauthorized use of resources/identity.
为了保护品牌，我们必须打击一切侵权和盗用行为。(To protect the brand, we must crack down on all acts of infringement and embezzlement.)
Examples by Level
这是我的，你不要侵权。
This is mine, don't infringe.
A1 level simplified use of the word.
侵权是不好的行为。
Infringement is bad behavior.
Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.
他用了我的照片，这是侵权。
He used my photo, this is infringement.
Using '这是' to define a situation.
小明，不要做侵权的事。
Xiao Ming, don't do infringing things.
Using '侵权' as an adjective for '事'.
侵权是什么意思？
What does infringement mean?
A common question for learners.
书上说，这是侵权。
The book says this is infringement.
Simple source attribution.
我不喜欢侵权。
I don't like infringement.
Expressing a simple opinion.
大家都要保护版权，不侵权。
Everyone should protect copyright and not infringe.
Using '不' to negate the verb.
在网上随便用别人的图是侵权。
Using others' pictures randomly on the internet is infringement.
Gerund-like subject phrase.
如果侵权，你要赔钱。
If you infringe, you have to pay money.
Conditional '如果' sentence.
这个网站因为侵权被关了。
This website was closed because of infringement.
Passive structure with '被'.
我们要学习法律，防止侵权。
We need to study law to prevent infringement.
Purpose clause with '防止'.
他的书被别人侵权了。
His book was infringed upon by others.
Passive voice with an object.
这种行为属于侵权吗？
Does this behavior belong to infringement?
Using '属于' for categorization.
请停止你的侵权行为。
Please stop your infringing behavior.
Formal request structure.
他因为侵权感到很抱歉。
He feels very sorry because of the infringement.
Expressing cause with '因为'.
由于侵权，这家公司损失了很多钱。
Due to infringement, this company lost a lot of money.
Cause and effect with '由于'.
如果你发现有人侵权，可以联系律师。
If you find someone infringing, you can contact a lawyer.
Conditional sentence with '发现'.
版权所有，侵权必究。
All rights reserved; infringement will be prosecuted.
A common set phrase in Chinese legal warnings.
我们要尊重原创，拒绝侵权。
We must respect originality and reject infringement.
Using '拒绝' as a strong verb.
这是一种严重的侵权行为。
This is a serious act of infringement.
Using '严重的' to modify the noun phrase.
他在网上发布了侵权的视频。
He posted an infringing video online.
Using '侵权的' as an adjective.
为了避免侵权，我重新写了这篇文章。
To avoid infringement, I rewrote this article.
Purpose clause with '为了避免'.
这个软件涉嫌侵权，已经被下架了。
This software is suspected of infringement and has been removed.
Using '涉嫌' to indicate suspicion.
法院判定该公司的行为构成了专利侵权。
The court ruled that the company's actions constituted patent infringement.
Formal legal terminology '判定' and '构成'.
在处理侵权纠纷时，证据非常重要。
When dealing with infringement disputes, evidence is very important.
Using '在...时' to set a context.
这种模仿已经超出了合理使用的范围，属于侵权。
This imitation has exceeded the scope of fair use and belongs to infringement.
Technical legal term '合理使用' (fair use).
作者有权要求侵权人停止侵害并赔偿损失。
The author has the right to demand that the infringer cease the infringement and compensate for losses.
Complex sentence with multiple legal demands.
随着互联网的发展，侵权手段也变得越来越隐蔽。
With the development of the internet, methods of infringement have become increasingly hidden.
Using '随着...发展' to show progression.
他因侵犯他人名誉权而被法院起诉。
He was sued by the court for infringing on someone else's right to reputation.
Passive structure '因...被起诉'.
保护知识产权就是打击侵权行为。
Protecting intellectual property means cracking down on infringement.
Equative sentence structure '...就是...'.
许多小商家因为缺乏法律意识而无意中侵权。
Many small businesses unintentionally infringe due to a lack of legal awareness.
Complex cause with '因为...而'.
该案件涉及跨国侵权，法律程序非常复杂。
The case involves cross-border infringement, and the legal procedures are very complex.
Using '涉及' for complex involvement.
侵权责任法为受害者提供了明确的追偿依据。
The Tort Liability Law provides victims with a clear basis for recovery.
Subject is a specific body of law.
在数字时代，如何界定合理使用与侵权是一个巨大的挑战。
In the digital age, how to define fair use versus infringement is a huge challenge.
Abstract philosophical/legal question.
被告辩称其行为不构成恶意侵权，仅是技术过失。
The defendant argued that their actions did not constitute malicious infringement but were merely a technical oversight.
Formal legal discourse '辩称' and '不构成'.
权利人可以通过行政和司法两种途径来打击侵权。
Right holders can crack down on infringement through both administrative and judicial channels.
Categorization of legal remedies.
侵权损害赔偿金额的确定通常需要专业的审计。
Determining the amount of compensation for infringement damages usually requires a professional audit.
Technical noun phrase '侵权损害赔偿金额'.
即使是无过错侵权，在某些法律框架下也需要承担赔偿责任。
Even for no-fault infringement, one must bear liability for compensation under certain legal frameworks.
Advanced legal concept '无过错侵权' (strict liability).
商标侵权不仅损害了品牌形象，还误导了消费者。
Trademark infringement not only damages brand image but also misleads consumers.
Correlative conjunction '不仅...还...'.
该判决书详尽阐述了侵权行为与损害结果之间的因果关系。
The judgment elaborates in detail on the causal relationship between the infringing act and the resulting damage.
High-level legal terminology '阐述' and '因果关系'.
在知识产权全球化的背景下，侵权判定标准呈现出趋同的态势。
In the context of the globalization of intellectual property, the standards for determining infringement are showing a trend toward convergence.
Highly abstract academic language.
这种深层链接行为是否构成侵权，在法学界仍存在广泛争议。
Whether this deep-linking behavior constitutes infringement remains a subject of widespread controversy in the legal community.
Specific digital legal issue '深层链接'.
侵权责任的归责原则经历了从过错责任到多元责任体系的演变。
The principles of imputation of tort liability have undergone an evolution from fault-based liability to a diversified liability system.
Legal history terminology '归责原则' and '演变'.
法院在衡量侵权赔偿时，应充分考虑权利人的研发投入和市场价值。
When measuring infringement compensation, the court should fully consider the right holder's R&D investment and market value.
Judicial reasoning structure.
恶意侵权适用惩罚性赔偿，是完善我国知识产权保护制度的重要举措。
Applying punitive damages to malicious infringement is an important measure to improve China's intellectual property protection system.
Policy-level language '举措' and '惩罚性赔偿'.
在处理此类侵权案件时，必须审慎平衡公共利益与私人权利。
In handling such infringement cases, one must carefully balance public interest and private rights.
Philosophical legal balance.
数字化转型对传统侵权认定标准提出了前所未有的严峻挑战。
Digital transformation has posed unprecedentedly severe challenges to traditional standards for identifying infringement.
Modern economic/legal discourse.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
