‘打劫’ is a verb meaning ‘to rob’ or ‘to hold up’, typically referring to violent or threatening theft—such as robbing a person, store, or vehicle by force or intimidation. The character 打 (dǎ) here functions as a verbal prefix indicating an action or assault, while 劫 (jié) means ‘to seize by force’ or ‘to plunder’. Together, they form a compound emphasizing coercive, unlawful appropriation of property, often with implied danger or criminal intent.

This word appears frequently in news reports, crime dramas, and formal writing about theft. It carries a strong negative connotation and is rarely used humorously or lightly. Unlike general terms like ‘偷’ (tōu, ‘to steal’), which implies stealth, ‘打劫’ suggests confrontation and threat. It’s commonly paired with objects like 银行 (yínháng, ‘bank’), 路上 (lùshàng, ‘on the street’), or 便利店 (biàn lì diàn, ‘convenience store’), and often appears with agents marked by 被 (bèi) in passive constructions.