take without permission; acquire improperly
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to take without permission; to acquire improperly; to misappropriate
formalTypically used in formal or moralistic contexts regarding money, property, or benefits that one is not entitled to. Often appears in negative constructions warning against such behavior.
Fēi非
fèn分
de的
qián钱
cái财
，
bù不
kě可
wàng妄
qǔ取
。
Ill-gotten wealth must not be taken without permission.
Tā他
lì利
yòng用
zhí职
wù务
zhī之
biàn便
，
wàng妄
qǔ取
gōng公
kuān款
，
zuì最
zhōng终
shòu受
dào到
fǎ法
lǜ律
zhì制
cái裁
。
He took advantage of his position to misappropriate public funds, and was eventually punished by law.
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Bú不
yì义
zhī之
cái财
，
qiē切
wù勿
wàng妄
qǔ取
，
fǒu否
zé则
bì必
jiāng将
zhāo招
lái来
huò祸
huàn患
。
Do not take money that is not rightfully yours, or you will surely bring disaster upon yourself.
Zhè这
xiē些
wén文
wù物
shì是
guó国
jiā家
de的
bǎo宝
guì贵
cái财
fù富
，
qǐ岂
róng容
tā他
rén人
wàng妄
qǔ取
？
These cultural relics are precious national treasures—how could they be allowed to be taken by others?