‘拐卖’ is a compound verb meaning 'to abduct and sell (a person)', typically referring to human trafficking—especially the illegal seizure and sale of children, women, or vulnerable individuals for exploitation such as forced labor or marriage. The first character 拐 (guǎi) means 'to kidnap' or 'to deceive and take away by force or trickery', while 卖 (mài) means 'to sell'. Together, they emphasize both the unlawful removal and the commercial transaction, making it a legally and morally grave term in Chinese.

This word appears frequently in news reports, legal documents, and public awareness campaigns about crime prevention and human rights protection. It carries strong negative connotations and is never used lightly or in casual contexts. Unlike general terms for 'selling', 拐卖 specifically implies coercion, illegality, and severe harm to victims—distinguishing it from legitimate trade or voluntary transactions.