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B2 verb 6 min read

绑架

bǎngjià
Examples Notes & Tips 绑架 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 绑架 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that '绑架' (bǎngjià) is a very serious word for a 'bad thing' where someone is taken away. Think of it like 'bad people take person.' You might see it in simple picture books or very basic news headlines. At this stage, just remember that '绑' means to tie up. If you see this word, it means someone is in danger and needs help. You don't need to use it in your own sentences yet, but you should recognize it as a word for a crime. It is pronounced 'bung-jyah.' Focus on the sound and the idea of someone being taken against their will. You won't use this in daily greetings or at a restaurant, but you might hear it in a movie. It is a 'scary' word for beginners.
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At the A2 level, you can start to understand the structure of the word. '绑' (bǎng) means 'to tie' and '架' (jià) here means 'to kidnap/support by force.' You can use it in very simple sentences like '他被绑架了' (He was kidnapped). You should know that it is a verb. You might hear it in news stories about '绑架案' (kidnapping cases). You should also learn that it is different from '丢了' (lost). If a child is '绑架', it is a crime. If a child is '丢了', they are just lost. This level is about distinguishing '绑架' from other ways people might go missing. You can also start to recognize the '被' (bèi) pattern which is very common with this word because people are usually the ones *being* kidnapped.
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At the B1 level, you should be able to use '绑架' in more complex contexts, such as discussing news or movies. You should understand the role of '绑匪' (bǎngfěi - kidnapper) and '赎金' (shújīn - ransom). You can describe a plot of a movie: '绑匪绑架了富人的女儿，要求很多钱' (The kidnapper kidnapped the rich man's daughter and asked for a lot of money). You should also be introduced to the metaphorical meaning, specifically '道德绑架' (dàodé bǎngjià - moral kidnapping). This is when someone uses 'being a good person' as a reason to force you to do something. For example, 'You are young, so you must give your seat to me' can be seen as a form of moral kidnapping if said rudely. This is a very common social concept in China.
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At the B2 level, you are expected to use '绑架' fluently in both literal and figurative senses. You should understand its legal implications and how it differs from '劫持' (hijack) and '拐卖' (human trafficking). You can participate in debates about social issues like '舆论绑架' (how public opinion can force people or companies to act in certain ways). You should be able to use the word to describe how abstract concepts like 'technology' or 'work' can 'kidnap' our time: '我们的生活被智能手机绑架了' (Our lives are kidnapped by smartphones). You should also be comfortable with formal written Chinese where '绑架' might appear in legal reports or academic discussions about social pressure and individual autonomy.
At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the nuances of '绑架'. You can analyze the psychological state of '被绑架者' (the kidnapped) and the societal impact of high-profile '绑架案'. You can use the word in sophisticated arguments about ethics, politics, and philosophy. For example, you might discuss how a political party's agenda is 'kidnapped' by extreme factions. You should be familiar with related idioms and literary ways to describe abduction or coercion. Your use of '道德绑架' should be nuanced, recognizing when it's a valid criticism of social pressure and when the term itself is being overused. You can read complex legal documents or long-form investigative journalism about kidnapping and trafficking without difficulty.
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At the C2 level, you have mastered '绑架' in all its forms. You can discuss the historical evolution of the term and its components. You can use it in creative writing or high-level rhetoric to describe the 'kidnapping' of a culture or a language by external forces. You understand the subtle differences between '绑架', '挟持', '劫持', and '掳掠' in classical and modern contexts. You can interpret and critique media portrayals of kidnapping, discussing the ethics of how these stories are told. You are also aware of the most obscure uses of the word in specialized fields like computer science (e.g., 'browser hijacking' is sometimes translated with related terms) or advanced political theory. Your command is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.
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Examples Notes & Tips

绑架 in 30 Seconds

  • 绑架 (bǎngjià) means to kidnap or abduct someone using force, often for ransom or to achieve specific demands.
  • It is a serious crime in China, but the term is also used metaphorically for social and emotional pressure.
  • Common phrases include '道德绑架' (moral kidnapping) and '绑架赎金' (kidnapping ransom).
  • Learners should distinguish it from '劫持' (hijack) and '拐卖' (trafficking).

The Chinese term 绑架 (bǎngjià) is a powerful and multi-layered verb that primarily refers to the act of kidnapping or abducting someone. At its most literal level, it describes a criminal act where an individual is taken against their will, often for ransom or to achieve a specific demand. The character 绑 (bǎng) means to tie or bind, originating from the silk radical, suggesting the physical restraint of a person. The character 架 (jià) can mean a frame or to support, but in this context, it implies the forceful carrying away or the 'framing' of a situation through force. Together, they create a vivid image of someone being bound and forcibly moved. In modern Chinese society, however, the word has evolved significantly beyond the criminal underworld. It is now frequently used metaphorically to describe psychological or social pressure. The most common modern iteration is 道德绑架 (dàodé bǎngjià), or 'moral kidnapping,' which refers to using high moral standards to coerce others into doing something they may not want to do, such as forcing a person to donate money or give up their seat on a bus through public shaming.

Literal Meaning
To physically bind and abduct an individual, typically involving a ransom demand (赎金).
Metaphorical Meaning
To hijack a concept, emotion, or public opinion to force a certain outcome, such as 'emotional kidnapping' (情感绑架).
Legal Context
In the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, Article 239 defines kidnapping as a severe felony punishable by long-term imprisonment or even death in extreme cases.

警方成功解救了被绑架的人质。(The police successfully rescued the kidnapped hostage.)

你这是在对我进行道德绑架。(You are subjecting me to moral kidnapping.)

富商的孩子遭到了绑架。(The wealthy businessman's child was kidnapped.)

这起绑架案引起了全国的关注。(This kidnapping case has drawn national attention.)

不要让金钱绑架了你的生活。(Don't let money hijack/kidnap your life.)

Using 绑架 (bǎngjià) correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb. In its most basic form, the structure is Subject + 绑架 + Object. For example, '绑匪绑架了受害者' (The kidnappers kidnapped the victim). However, because kidnapping is an action done *to* someone, the passive voice using 被 (bèi) is extremely common: '他被绑架了' (He was kidnapped). When discussing metaphorical kidnapping, the object is often an abstract noun like 'opinion' (舆论), 'morality' (道德), or 'emotions' (情感). For instance, '舆论被极端情绪绑架了' (Public opinion was hijacked by extreme emotions). This illustrates how the word functions to describe a loss of autonomy or control, whether through physical ropes or social expectations.

Active Voice
Focuses on the perpetrator. Example: 犯罪集团绑架了多名外籍游客。(The criminal group kidnapped several foreign tourists.)
Passive Voice (被)
Focuses on the victim. Example: 那个孩子在放学路上被绑架了。(That child was kidnapped on the way home from school.)
As a Noun Modifier
Used to describe cases or criminals. Example: 绑架案 (kidnapping case), 绑架罪 (the crime of kidnapping).

绑匪向家属索要巨额绑架赎金。(The kidnappers demanded a huge ransom from the family.)

他声称自己被政治对手绑架了。(He claimed he was kidnapped by political rivals.)

我们不应该被过去的错误所绑架。(We should not be held hostage/kidnapped by past mistakes.)

The word 绑架 (bǎngjià) appears in three main environments in the Chinese-speaking world. First, in the news media (新闻媒体), where reports on international conflicts, local crimes, or historical events frequently use the term. You will hear phrases like '跨国绑架' (transnational kidnapping) or '人质绑架' (hostage kidnapping). Second, it is a staple of crime dramas and thrillers (犯罪片/悬疑剧). Characters will scream '别绑架我!' (Don't kidnap me!) or discuss '绑架计划' (kidnapping plans). The third and perhaps most culturally significant environment is the internet and social media (互联网与社交媒体). Here, '绑架' is used to criticize social behavior. If a celebrity is forced to apologize for a minor mistake because of overwhelming internet pressure, fans might complain about '舆论绑架' (kidnapping by public opinion). If a parent forces a child into a career path 'for their own good,' netizens might call it '情感绑架' (emotional kidnapping). Understanding these contexts helps you move from a textbook definition to a fluent, culturally-aware understanding of the word.

News Reports
Formal, objective usage describing criminal incidents or maritime piracy.
Social Media
Informal, argumentative usage describing societal pressures and 'cancel culture.'
Legal/Police Drama
Action-oriented usage involving negotiations, SWAT teams, and ransom demands.

这篇报道详细描述了受害者被绑架的过程。(The report detailed the process of the victim being kidnapped.)

网友们认为这种强制捐款是道德绑架。(Netizens believe this forced donation is moral kidnapping.)

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is confusing 绑架 (bǎngjià) with other similar terms like 劫持 (jiéchí), 拐卖 (guǎimài), or 拘留 (jūliú). While all involve a loss of freedom, their nuances are strictly defined in Chinese. 绑架 is specifically for people and implies a demand for ransom or a specific action. 劫持 is used for hijacking vehicles (like a plane '劫机') or holding someone as a shield in a standoff. 拐卖 refers specifically to human trafficking—the act of abducting someone to sell them for profit, often involving women or children. Another mistake is using '绑架' for legal detention; if the police hold someone, that is 拘留 or 逮捕 (dàibǔ), never '绑架.' Lastly, learners often forget that '绑架' can be an abstract concept. They might only use it for crimes and miss out on expressing the feeling of being 'trapped' by social expectations, which is a very common way native speakers use the word.

Mistake: Using for vehicles
Incorrect: 绑架飞机. Correct: 劫持飞机 (Hijack a plane).
Mistake: Confusing with trafficking
Kidnapping (绑架) is for ransom; trafficking (拐卖) is for selling the person.
Mistake: Misunderstanding 'Moral Kidnapping'
It doesn't mean a moral person was kidnapped; it means someone is using 'morality' as a weapon to kidnap your choice.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is essential to compare 绑架 (bǎngjià) with its synonyms and related terms. While 绑架 is the most versatile term for abduction, other words provide more specific details about the nature of the act. For example, 劫持 (jiéchí) emphasizes the use of weapons or immediate threat to hold someone hostage. 掳走 (lǔzǒu) is often used in historical or military contexts, meaning to carry someone off as plunder or a captive during war. 诱拐 (yòuguǎi) focuses on the deception involved—tricking someone (usually a child) into coming with you rather than using physical force. In the metaphorical sense, 挟持 (xiéchí) can be used to describe being 'held hostage' by interests or groups. Choosing the right word depends on whether the act was done through force, trickery, or social pressure.

绑架 vs. 劫持
绑架 is for ransom/demands; 劫持 is for immediate control or hijacking.
绑架 vs. 诱拐
绑架 uses force (tying up); 诱拐 uses lies and enticement.
绑架 vs. 扣押
绑架 is illegal; 扣押 (kòuyā) can be a legal detention of goods or persons by authorities.

恐怖分子劫持了整栋大楼。(Terrorists hijacked/held the entire building.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, '绑' was specifically for tying prisoners or criminals, while '架' could refer to the physical act of supporting someone's weight while forcing them to move.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈkɪdnæp/
US /ˈkɪdnæp/
Bǎng (third tone) - low falling-rising; Jià (fourth tone) - sharp falling.
Rhymes With
赏 (shǎng) 党 (dǎng) 想 (xiǎng) 讲 (jiǎng) 场 (chǎng) 广 (guǎng) 躺 (tǎng) 响 (xiǎng)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'bǎng' as 'bāng' (first tone).
  • Confusing 'jià' with 'jiā' (home).
  • Using 'bǎngjià' for non-human objects like cars.
  • Misplacing the 'bèi' in passive constructions.
  • Over-nasalizing the 'ang' in 'bǎng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

The characters are somewhat complex but common in news.

Writing 5/5

The character '绑' and '架' require practice with radicals.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if you know the tones.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognized in crime dramas.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

犯罪 警察 人 钱 带走

Learn Next

勒索 赎金 人质 非法 拘禁

Advanced

斯德哥尔摩综合征 引渡 刑事诉讼 正当防卫 舆论导向
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Examples by Level

1

坏人绑架了他。

Bad people kidnapped him.

Subject + Verb + Object

2

不要绑架我！

Don't kidnap me!

Imperative sentence with '不要'

3

他被绑架了。

He was kidnapped.

Passive voice with '被'

4

这是一起绑架案。

This is a kidnapping case.

Noun phrase '绑架案'

5

警察在找绑架的人。

The police are looking for the person who kidnapped.

Attributive clause with '的'

6

绑架是不对的。

Kidnapping is wrong.

Simple statement

7

谁被绑架了？

Who was kidnapped?

Interrogative sentence

8

我害怕绑架。

I am afraid of kidnapping.

Subject + Verb + Object

1

那个孩子在公园被绑架了。

That child was kidnapped in the park.

Location + 被 + Verb

2

绑匪要很多钱。

The kidnappers want a lot of money.

Introduction of the word '绑匪'

3

他给警察打了电话，因为他弟弟被绑架了。

He called the police because his younger brother was kidnapped.

Complex sentence with '因为'

4

那部电影讲的是绑架的故事。

That movie tells a story about kidnapping.

Topic-comment structure

5

他们绑架了那个富商。

They kidnapped that wealthy businessman.

Verb with '了' indicating completion

6

绑架发生在上周五。

The kidnapping happened last Friday.

Time phrase

7

新闻里说有人被绑架了。

The news said someone was kidnapped.

Indirect speech

8

我们要防止孩子被绑架。

We need to prevent children from being kidnapped.

Verb '防止' + Object

1

绑匪要求支付一百万赎金。

The kidnappers demanded a payment of one million in ransom.

Use of '赎金' (ransom)

2

你不要对我进行道德绑架。

Don't subject me to moral kidnapping.

Introduction of '道德绑架'

3

警察成功救出了被绑架的人质。

The police successfully rescued the kidnapped hostage.

Adverb + Verb + Object

4

这起绑架案的真相还在调查中。

The truth of this kidnapping case is still under investigation.

Noun phrase as subject

5

他因为绑架罪被判处十年徒刑。

He was sentenced to ten years in prison for the crime of kidnapping.

Reason + 被 + Verb

6

绑架过程中，受害者受了轻伤。

During the kidnapping, the victim sustained minor injuries.

Time phrase '过程中'

7

我们不能被情绪绑架，要冷静思考。

We cannot be kidnapped by emotions; we must think calmly.

Metaphorical usage

8

他被绑架到了一个偏远的山村。

He was kidnapped and taken to a remote mountain village.

Directional complement '到...'

1

互联网时代，我们的注意力经常被社交媒体绑架。

In the internet age, our attention is often kidnapped by social media.

Abstract metaphorical usage

2

这种行为无异于一种精神绑架。

This kind of behavior is no different from spiritual kidnapping.

Formal comparison '无异于'

3

绑匪利用人质的安全来绑架政府的决策。

The kidnappers used the hostage's safety to hijack the government's decision.

Complex metaphorical usage

4

他拒绝接受任何形式的道德绑架。

He refused to accept any form of moral kidnapping.

Formal verb '拒绝'

5

在某些地区，绑架外国游客已成为一种犯罪产业链。

In some areas, kidnapping foreign tourists has become a criminal industry chain.

Complex noun phrase

6

法律严禁任何形式的绑架和非法拘禁。

The law strictly prohibits any form of kidnapping and illegal detention.

Legal terminology

7

他试图通过绑架舆论来掩盖自己的错误。

He tried to cover up his mistakes by hijacking public opinion.

Abstract usage of '舆论'

8

受害者的家属正在焦急地等待绑架者的消息。

The victim's family is anxiously waiting for news from the kidnappers.

Adverbial '焦急地'

1

这种所谓的‘孝顺’有时会演变成对他人的情感绑架。

This so-called 'filial piety' sometimes evolves into emotional kidnapping of others.

Sociocultural analysis

2

极端的民族主义情绪往往会绑架国家的理性外交政策。

Extreme nationalist sentiments often hijack a country's rational foreign policy.

Political discourse

3

我们必须警惕算法对人类自由意志的隐形绑架。

We must be wary of the invisible kidnapping of human free will by algorithms.

Philosophical usage

4

绑架罪的量刑标准应根据犯罪情节的严重程度而定。

The sentencing standards for the crime of kidnapping should be determined based on the severity of the circumstances.

Formal legal structure

5

他深陷于被绑架的阴影中，长期无法正常生活。

He was deeply trapped in the shadow of being kidnapped and was unable to live normally for a long time.

Psychological description

6

媒体的过度炒作无形中绑架了司法公正。

The media's excessive hype invisibly hijacked judicial justice.

Abstract causal relationship

7

绑架案中的心理博弈往往比武力对抗更加惊心动魄。

The psychological game in a kidnapping case is often more thrilling than the physical confrontation.

Comparative structure

8

他以‘集体利益’为名，对反对者进行政治绑架。

In the name of 'collective interest,' he subjected opponents to political kidnapping.

Political rhetoric

1

在消费主义的浪潮中，人们的审美观在不知不觉中被资本绑架了。

In the wave of consumerism, people's aesthetic views have been unconsciously hijacked by capital.

Critical theory discourse

2

绑架人质不仅是犯罪，更是对人类尊严的公然践踏。

Kidnapping hostages is not only a crime but also a blatant trampling of human dignity.

High-level moral rhetoric

3

该政权的合法性已被极端宗教势力所绑架。

The legitimacy of the regime has been hijacked by extreme religious forces.

Political science terminology

4

通过这种隐蔽的利益输送，他成功绑架了整个董事会的决策过程。

Through this hidden transfer of interests, he successfully hijacked the entire board's decision-making process.

Business strategy context

5

绑架这一行为在现代社会中已衍生出极其复杂的社会学含义。

The act of kidnapping has derived extremely complex sociological meanings in modern society.

Academic introduction

6

他在自传中详细描述了那段被绑架的日子，字里行间充满了绝望。

In his autobiography, he described those days of being kidnapped in detail, with despair filling every line.

Literary description

7

技术决定论者认为，人类文明终将被技术进步所绑架。

Technological determinists believe that human civilization will eventually be kidnapped by technological progress.

Theoretical debate

8

这种‘爱’的表达方式，实质上是一种沉重的情感绑架。

This way of expressing 'love' is, in essence, a heavy emotional kidnapping.

Interpersonal psychology

Common Collocations

绑架案
绑架勒索
道德绑架
情感绑架
绑架人质
绑架赎金
跨国绑架
绑架罪
舆论绑架
绑架企图

Common Phrases

被绑架

— To be kidnapped (passive).

他不幸被绑架了。

绑架者

— The person who performs the kidnapping.

绑架者还没找到。

绑架现场

— The scene where the kidnapping occurred.

警察封锁了绑架现场。

绑架未遂

— Attempted kidnapping (failed).

这是一起绑架未遂案。

集体绑架

— Mass kidnapping.

该组织制造了集体绑架事件。

绑架受害者

— The victim of a kidnapping.

绑架受害者心理受创。

非法绑架

— Illegal kidnapping (redundant but used for emphasis).

严厉打击非法绑架。

绑架行为

— The act of kidnapping.

绑架行为必须受到法律制裁。

绑架阴谋

— A kidnapping plot/conspiracy.

特工揭穿了绑架阴谋。

实施绑架

— To carry out a kidnapping.

他们在深夜实施了绑架。

Idioms & Expressions

"道德绑架"

— Using moral standards to coerce others.

不要用孝顺来进行道德绑架。

Modern Slang/Social
"情感绑架"

— Using emotional ties to control someone.

这种爱其实是情感绑架。

Psychological
"挟天子以令诸侯"

— Holding the emperor hostage to control the nobles (historical idiom related to kidnapping power).

他这是在挟天子以令诸侯。

Literary
"绑架民意"

— To hijack or manipulate public opinion.

政客们试图绑架民意。

Political
"绑架未来"

— To compromise the future for short-term gain.

环境污染是在绑架未来。

Rhetorical
"绑架时间"

— When something takes up all your time against your will.

琐碎的工作绑架了我的时间。

Casual
"被金钱绑架"

— To be a slave to money.

他已经完全被金钱绑架了。

Philosophical
"绑架逻辑"

— To force a flawed logic onto someone.

你的这种绑架逻辑行不通。

Argumentative
"绑架价值观"

— To force one's values on others.

西方不应绑架他国的价值观。

Political
"绑架真相"

— To hide or distort the truth.

谎言绑架了真相。

Literary

Word Family

Nouns

绑匪 (kidnapper)
绑架案 (kidnapping case)
绑架罪 (crime of kidnapping)
人质 (hostage)

Verbs

绑 (to tie)
架 (to carry/frame)
解救 (to rescue)
勒索 (to extort)

Adjectives

被绑架的 (kidnapped)
强制性的 (coercive)
危险的 (dangerous)

Related

犯罪
警察
赎金
失踪
安全
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine someone being TIED (绑) to a wooden FRAME (架) and taken away.

Visual Association

A rope (纟) tied around a wooden structure (木) representing the characters.

Word Web

Crime Ransom Hostage Moral Emotional Police Rescue Danger

Challenge

Try to use '道德绑架' in a sentence about a social media situation you saw recently.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of '绑' (to tie/bind) and '架' (to frame/prop up). '绑' uses the silk radical (纟), indicating the use of ropes. '架' originally referred to a wooden frame (木 radical).

Original meaning: To tie someone to a wooden frame or to carry them off using a frame/stretcher.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Cultural Context

This is a sensitive word involving crime and trauma. Use carefully in formal settings.

In English, we use 'guilt-tripping' for moral kidnapping and 'hijacking' for metaphorical uses.

The movie 'Saving Mr. Wu' (解救吾先生) is a famous Chinese kidnapping film. The 'Moral Kidnapping' debate often features in TV shows like 'I Can I BB' (奇葩说). Historical cases of kidnapping during the Warlord Era.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Crime News

  • 发生绑架案
  • 索要赎金
  • 警方介入
  • 人质安全

Social Media

  • 道德绑架
  • 键盘侠
  • 被迫道歉
  • 舆论压力

Family/Relationships

  • 情感绑架
  • 为了你好
  • 控制欲
  • 个人空间

Movies/TV

  • 绑匪
  • 营救行动
  • 惊悚片
  • 反派角色

Legal/Law

  • 绑架罪
  • 量刑
  • 非法拘禁
  • 刑事责任

Conversation Starters

"你最近看那部关于绑架案的电影了吗？ (Have you seen that movie about a kidnapping lately?)"

"你觉得什么是‘道德绑架’？ (What do you think 'moral kidnapping' is?)"

"如果有人被绑架了，应该先做什么？ (If someone is kidnapped, what should be done first?)"

"现在的社交媒体是不是在绑架我们的生活？ (Is modern social media kidnapping our lives?)"

"你听说过那个著名的绑架案吗？ (Have you heard of that famous kidnapping case?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你感到被‘道德绑架’的经历。 (Describe an experience where you felt 'morally kidnapped.')

如果你是一个编剧，你会如何设计一个绑架案的故事？ (If you were a screenwriter, how would you design a kidnapping story?)

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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

kidnap English
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