挟

2 readings · tap one to hear it

(bound form) to clasp under the arm; (bound form) to coerce; (bound form) to harbor (resentment etc); Taiwan pr. [xia2]

Sound it out + = · + + =

Formation & memory

Break the character into parts you already know.

Ideographic compound (会意字)

Wedged 夹 in one's arms 扌; 夹 also provides the pronunciation

Components 扌夹

coerce · Heisig RSH #1865

fingers + 夹 press from both sides

Keyword method from Heisig's Remembering Simplified Hanzi.

The most common words first — learning a character in context makes it stick.

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
挟天子以令天下	xié tiān zǐ yǐ lìng tiān xià	(expr.) hold the feudal overlord and you control the whole country
挟天子以令诸侯	xié tiān zǐ yǐ lìng zhū hóu	(expr.) hold the feudal overlord and you control his vassals
挟细拿粗	xié xì ná cū	to provoke
挟制	xié zhì	to exploit sb's point of weakness to force them to do one's bidding
挟带	xié dài	to carry along; to carry on one's person; to carry secretly
要挟	yāo xié	to threaten; to blackmail
挟持	xié chí	to seize (sb) by the arms; to hold under duress; to abduct
挟怨	xié yuàn	to hold a grudge
裹挟	guǒ xié	to sweep along; to coerce