jiéfěi: 劫匪 - Robber, Mugger

• Keywords: jiéfěi, 劫匪, Chinese for robber, mugger in Chinese, bandit, what is jiefěi, Chinese crime vocabulary, how to say robber in Mandarin, 抢劫, 强盗, 小偷
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word for robber, 劫匪 (jiéfěi). This comprehensive guide explains its meaning, cultural context, and practical use. Discover the key difference between a 劫匪 (jiéfěi), who robs with force or threats, and a 小偷 (xiǎotōu), a common thief. This page provides detailed character breakdowns, 10 practical example sentences, and analysis to help you master this important vocabulary for discussing crime and safety in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jié fěi
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A person who robs others, typically using violence or the threat of violence; a robber, mugger, or bandit.
• In a Nutshell: 劫匪 (jiéfěi) is a strong and serious term for a criminal who takes property directly from a person or place through force. Think of a bank robber, a street mugger with a weapon, or bandits in a movie. The key element is the confrontation and coercion involved, which distinguishes a `劫匪` from a stealthy thief (`小偷`).

• 劫 (jié): This character means “to rob,” “to plunder,” or “to coerce.” It's a combination of 去 (qù), meaning “to go,” and 力 (lì), meaning “power” or “force.” The image created is of someone using force to go and take something that isn't theirs.
• 匪 (fěi): This character means “bandit” or “robber.” It's a specialized character used almost exclusively to refer to this type of criminal.
• When combined, 劫匪 (jiéfěi) literally translates to “robbing bandit.” The first character describes the action (robbing with force), and the second character describes the person (a bandit), creating a clear and unambiguous term for a robber.

In Chinese culture, which places a high value on social harmony and public order (`治安 - zhì'ān`), the concept of a 劫匪 (jiéfěi) is a serious threat. They represent a direct, violent disruption of peace and safety. Unlike a clever thief who operates in the shadows, a `劫匪` operates through open confrontation and fear, making them a more terrifying figure in the public imagination. A useful comparison in Western culture is the distinction between a “thief” and a “mugger” or “robber.” While both are criminals, the “mugger/robber” implies a violent, face-to-face encounter, which is much more frightening. The Chinese distinction between `小偷 (xiǎotōu)` (thief) and 劫匪 (jiéfěi) (robber) carries the same weight. The term `劫匪` is frequently used in news reports, crime dramas, and public safety announcements, always with a very negative and serious connotation. It evokes images of masked men, weapons, and a direct assault on an individual's or institution's security.

劫匪 (jiéfěi) is a formal and standard term used in various contexts, from official reports to everyday conversation about crime.

• In the News: Media outlets use this term when reporting on robberies, muggings, or heists. You'll often see it paired with locations or methods, like `银行劫匪` (yínháng jiéfěi - bank robber) or `持枪劫匪` (chí qiāng jiéfěi - armed robber).
• In Conversation: People use it when recounting a crime they witnessed or heard about. For example, “I heard a 劫匪 (jiéfěi) robbed the convenience store down the street.”
• In Media: It is the standard term for the “bad guy” character in police dramas, action movies, and video games who engages in robbery.
• Formality: The term is neutral in formality but serious in tone. It is not a word used lightly or jokingly.

• Example 1:
  • 警察迅速逮捕了那名银行劫匪。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngchá xùnsù dàibǔle nà míng yínháng jiéfěi.
  • English: The police quickly arrested that bank robber.
  • Analysis: A typical sentence you would read in a news report. It's formal and states a fact.
• Example 2:
  • 她在一条黑暗的小巷里遇到了一个劫匪，钱包被抢走了。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài yī tiáo hēi'àn de xiǎoxiàng lǐ yùdàole yī ge jiéfěi, qiánbāo bèi qiǎng zǒule.
  • English: She encountered a mugger in a dark alley, and her wallet was snatched.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the use of `劫匪` for a street-level mugger. The verb `抢 (qiǎng)` meaning “to snatch” or “to rob” is often used with `劫匪`.
• Example 3:
  • 电影里的劫匪总是戴着面具。
  • Pinyin: Diànyǐng lǐ de jiéfěi zǒngshì dàizhe miànjù.
  • English: The robbers in the movies are always wearing masks.
  • Analysis: This shows the term used in a fictional, descriptive context.
• Example 4:
  • 警方呼吁市民提供有关这名持枪劫匪的线索。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngfāng hūyù shìmín tígōng yǒuguān zhè míng chí qiāng jiéfěi de xiànsuǒ.
  • English: The police are appealing to the public for clues about this armed robber.
  • Analysis: `持枪 (chí qiāng)` means “holding a gun.” This is a common and serious collocation.
• Example 5:
  • 幸运的是，当时店里没人，劫匪只拿走了一些现金。
  • Pinyin: Xìngyùn de shì, dāngshí diàn lǐ méi rén, jiéfěi zhǐ ná zǒule yīxiē xiànjīn.
  • English: Fortunately, no one was in the store at the time; the robber only took some cash.
  • Analysis: A conversational way to recount the details of a robbery.
• Example 6:
  • 他勇敢地与劫匪搏斗，保护了自己的财产。
  • Pinyin: Tā yǒnggǎn de yǔ jiéfěi bódòu, bǎohùle zìjǐ de cáichǎn.
  • English: He bravely fought with the robber and protected his property.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the confrontational nature of an encounter with a `劫匪`.
• Example 7:
  • 这不是小偷，这是一个真正的劫匪，他有武器！
  • Pinyin: Zhè bùshì xiǎotōu, zhè shì yī ge zhēnzhèng de jiéfěi, tā yǒu wǔqì!
  • English: This isn't a thief, this is a real robber—he has a weapon!
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts `劫匪` with `小偷 (xiǎotōu)`, highlighting the key difference: the use of force or weapons.
• Example 8:
  • 那个劫匪最终被判处十年有期徒刑。
  • Pinyin: Nàge jiéfěi zuìzhōng bèi pànchǔ shí nián yǒuqī túxíng.
  • English: That robber was finally sentenced to ten years in prison.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the legal consequences faced by a `劫匪`.
• Example 9:
  • 一伙劫匪在午夜抢劫了珠宝店。
  • Pinyin: Yī huǒ jiéfěi zài wǔyè qiǎngjiéle zhūbǎo diàn.
  • English: A gang of robbers robbed the jewelry store at midnight.
  • Analysis: The measure word `伙 (huǒ)` is often used for gangs or groups of criminals.
• Example 10:
  • 面对劫匪时，保持冷静是最重要的。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì jiéfěi shí, bǎochí lěngjìng shì zuì zhòngyào de.
  • English: When facing a robber, staying calm is the most important thing.
  • Analysis: Used in the context of giving safety advice.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 劫匪 (jiéfěi) with 小偷 (xiǎotōu). They are not interchangeable.

• 劫匪 (jiéfěi): Robber/Mugger. Uses force, threats, or violence. The victim is aware of the crime as it happens.
  • Correct: `一个劫匪用刀威胁他，抢走了他的手机。` (A robber threatened him with a knife and took his phone.)
• 小偷 (xiǎotōu): Thief/Pickpocket. Uses stealth and cunning. The victim often doesn't realize their property is gone until later.
  • Correct: `一个小偷在地铁上偷了我的钱包。` (A pickpocket stole my wallet on the subway.)

Incorrect Usage:

• `那个劫匪悄悄地从我口袋里拿走了我的手机。` (Incorrect!)
  • Why it's wrong: The word `悄悄地 (qiāoqiāode)` means “quietly” or “stealthily,” which describes the action of a `小偷`, not a `劫匪`. The correct word here would be `小偷`.

Another point of confusion is the difference between the person and the act.

• 劫匪 (jiéfěi): The person (a robber).
• 抢劫 (qiǎngjié): The act (robbery, to rob).
  • Correct: `那个劫匪 (person) 抢劫 (act) 了一家银行。` - That robber robbed a bank.
  • Incorrect: `那个抢劫抢劫了一家银行。`

• 抢劫 (qiǎngjié) - The verb for “to rob” or the noun for “robbery.” This is the action performed by a `劫匪`.
• 小偷 (xiǎotōu) - A thief or pickpocket. Contrasts with `劫匪` as they use stealth instead of force.
• 强盗 (qiángdào) - A bandit, pirate, or robber. Very similar to `劫匪`, but can sometimes have a more archaic or storybook feel (e.g., bandits on a mountain). Largely interchangeable in many contexts.
• 绑匪 (bǎngfěi) - A kidnapper. A specific type of criminal who takes people, not just property.
• 土匪 (tǔfěi) - Bandits or brigands, often with a historical or rural connotation, like outlaws hiding in the countryside.
• 歹徒 (dǎitú) - A villain, gangster, or evildoer. A more general term for a violent criminal that could include a `劫匪`.
• 罪犯 (zuìfàn) - A criminal. This is a broad, formal legal term covering all types of lawbreakers.
• 警察 (jǐngchá) - The police. The societal force responsible for catching `劫匪`.
• 治安 (zhì'ān) - Public security; law and order. This is the state of social stability that `劫匪` actively disrupts.
• 受害者 (shòuhàizhě) - A victim. The person who is robbed by the `劫匪`.