牵制

牽制

qiānzhì

verb HSK 7-9 #16,364

Meanings

1 to restrain; to restrict; to hold in check
2 to pin down (enemy troops)

Characters

to pull; to drag

to control; to restrain

Examples

他被家庭琐事牵制住了。

Tā bèi jiātíng suǒshì qiānzhì zhù le.

He was held back by family matters.

派一支部队去牵制敌人。

Pài yī zhī bùduì qù qiānzhì dírén.

Send a unit to pin down the enemy.

Tips

usage

牵制 implies that something is pulling you back or tying you down. It is commonly used in both military contexts (pinning down troops) and everyday life (being held back by obligations).

Stroke Order

牵 qiān

制 zhì