垄断

壟斷

lǒngduàn

verb HSK 7-9 #18,494

Meanings

这家公司垄断了整个市场。

Zhèjiā gōngsī lǒngduàn le zhěnggè shìchǎng.

This company monopolized the entire market.

政府正在打击垄断行为。

Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài dǎjī lǒngduàn xíngwéi.

The government is cracking down on monopolistic behavior.

history

垄断 comes from an ancient story: a man stood on a 垄 (ridge/mound) to 断 (cut off/monopolize) trade at a market, gaining an unfair advantage.

垄 lǒng

断 duàn