qiángdào: 强盗 - Robber, Bandit, Pirate

• Keywords: qiangdao, 强盗, 強盜, Chinese for robber, Chinese for bandit, Chinese bandit, qiangdao meaning, learn Chinese, bandit vs thief in Chinese, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the meaning, usage, and cultural context of 强盗 (qiángdào), the powerful Chinese word for “robber” or “bandit.” This comprehensive guide explores its character origins, its role in Chinese culture from classic literature to modern slang, and how it differs from a common thief (小偷, xiǎotōu). Master this HSK 5 term with 10+ practical example sentences, detailed analysis, and a look at related concepts like “robber's logic” (强盗逻辑).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qiángdào
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A person who robs another by using force, violence, or threats.
• In a Nutshell: 强盗 (qiángdào) refers to a robber who acts openly and aggressively. This isn't a sneaky pickpocket; a 强盗 confronts their victim, using intimidation or physical force to take what they want. Think of a highwayman, a bank robber, or bandits in a martial arts film. The core concepts are force and theft.

• 强 (qiáng): This character's primary meaning is “strong,” “powerful,” or “to force.” It evokes a sense of might and compulsion.
• 盗 (dào): This character means “to steal” or a “thief/robber.” It signifies the act of unlawfully taking another's property.

When combined, 强盗 (qiángdào) literally translates to a “forceful robber” or “strong thief.” This perfectly captures the essence of the word: theft committed not by stealth, but through overt power and aggression.

The 强盗 is a powerful archetype in Chinese culture, much like the “outlaw” in the American West or the “pirate” in seafaring tales. However, the Chinese concept carries unique cultural weight. In classic literature, such as the famous novel Water Margin (《水浒传》, Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn), the bandits are often portrayed as righteous rebels. They are 强盗 who fight against a corrupt government and protect the common people. This introduces a complex duality: while they are criminals, they can also be heroes bound by a code of honor and brotherhood (义气, yìqì). This contrasts with the Western “Robin Hood” archetype. While both steal from the powerful, the Chinese bandit hero is often part of a large, organized brotherhood, emphasizing the collective over the individual. Their actions are less about charity and more about upholding a form of cosmic justice (义, yì) and challenging a broken system. In modern contexts, this romanticism is gone, and 强盗 simply refers to a violent criminal.

In contemporary China, 强盗 is used in both literal and figurative ways. Literal Usage: When reporting on crime, 强盗 refers to someone who commits robbery (抢劫, qiǎngjié). You will see it in news headlines, police reports, and public safety announcements. It is a serious term for a violent criminal. Figurative and Hyperbolic Usage: 强盗 is frequently used metaphorically to describe behavior that is outrageously unfair, exploitative, or based on brute force rather than reason.

• “Robber's Logic” (强盗逻辑, qiángdào luójí): This is a very common phrase used to criticize an argument that is completely unreasonable and relies on power to win. For example, “I'm bigger than you, so I'm right” is a form of 强盗逻辑.
• Exorbitant Prices: If a shop owner charges a ridiculous price for a simple item, a customer might exclaim, “你这是强盗行为!” (Nǐ zhè shì qiángdào xíngwéi!) meaning, “This is the behavior of a robber!” or simply, “This is robbery!”

The connotation is always strongly negative and accusatory.

Example 1:

• 警察抓住了那个持刀的强盗。
• Pinyin: Jǐngchá zhuāzhù le nàge chídāo de qiángdào.
• English: The police caught the knife-wielding robber.
• Analysis: A straightforward, literal use of the word in a law-and-order context.

Example 2:

• 这家商店的价格太离谱了，简直就是强盗！
• Pinyin: Zhè jiā shāngdiàn de jiàgé tài lípǔ le, jiǎnzhí jiùshì qiángdào!
• English: The prices at this store are outrageous, they're simply robbers!
• Analysis: A common hyperbolic usage. The speaker isn't saying the shop owners are literal criminals, but that their pricing is exploitative, like robbery.

Example 3:

• 在古代，商队常常害怕遇到山里的强盗。
• Pinyin: Zài gǔdài, shāngduì chángcháng hàipà yùdào shān lǐ de qiángdào.
• English: In ancient times, merchant caravans were often afraid of encountering bandits in the mountains.
• Analysis: This sentence illustrates the classic, historical meaning of 强盗 as “bandits” or “highwaymen.”

Example 4:

• 他那种“我说了算”的态度，完全是强盗逻辑。
• Pinyin: Tā nà zhǒng “wǒ shuōle suàn” de tàidù, wánquán shì qiángdào luójí.
• English: His “what I say goes” attitude is pure gangster logic.
• Analysis: This shows the popular set phrase 强盗逻辑 (qiángdào luójí), used to describe unreasonable and forceful arguments.

Example 5:

• 电影里的主角不是英雄，而是一个冷酷的强盗。
• Pinyin: Diànyǐng lǐ de zhǔjué búshì yīngxióng, érshì yíge lěngkù de qiángdào.
• English: The protagonist in the movie is not a hero, but a ruthless robber.
• Analysis: Used here to describe a character archetype in a story.

Example 6:

• 他的行为和强盗没什么两样。
• Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi hé qiángdào méishénme liǎngyàng.
• English: His behavior is no different from a robber's.
• Analysis: A strong metaphorical condemnation of someone's actions, implying they are unfair, forceful, and immoral.

Example 7:

• 一个强盗闯进了银行，大喊“把钱都交出来！”
• Pinyin: Yíge qiángdào chuǎngjìn le yínháng, dà hǎn “Bǎ qián dōu jiāo chūlái!”
• English: A robber burst into the bank, shouting “Hand over all the money!”
• Analysis: A classic, almost cliché, scenario that perfectly defines the word's meaning for a beginner.

Example 8:

• 我们必须谴责这种国际关系中的强盗行径。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū qiǎnzé zhè zhǒng guójì guānxì zhōng de qiángdào xíngjìng.
• English: We must condemn this kind of robber-like behavior in international relations.
• Analysis: This demonstrates the word's use in a formal, political context to criticize the aggressive actions of a state or entity.

Example 9:

• 晚上一个人走路要小心，以防被强盗抢劫。
• Pinyin: Wǎnshang yíge rén zǒulù yào xiǎoxīn, yǐfáng bèi qiángdào qiǎngjié.
• English: Be careful when walking alone at night to prevent being robbed by a robber.
• Analysis: This example pairs the noun 强盗 with the verb for robbing (抢劫, qiǎngjié), reinforcing the connection for learners.

Example 10:

• 《水浒传》讲述了一群被逼上梁山的强盗的故事。
• Pinyin: 《Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn》 jiǎngshù le yìqún bèi bī shàng Liángshān de qiángdào de gùshi.
• English: Water Margin tells the story of a group of bandits who were forced to become outlaws on Liang Mountain.
• Analysis: This connects the word directly to its important cultural context in Chinese literature.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 强盗 (qiángdào) with other words for criminals.

• 强盗 (qiángdào) vs. 小偷 (xiǎotōu): This is the most crucial distinction.
  • 强盗 (qiángdào): Robber. Uses force, violence, or threats. The crime is open and confrontational. (e.g., a mugger, a bank robber).
  • 小偷 (xiǎotōu): Thief. Uses stealth and cunning. The crime is hidden and sneaky. (e.g., a pickpocket, a shoplifter).
  • Incorrect: ~~那个强盗偷了我的钱包。~~ (Nàge qiángdào tōu le wǒde qiánbāo.) If it was stolen from your pocket without you noticing, you should say: 那个小偷偷了我的钱包。
• 强盗 (qiángdào) vs. 贼 (zéi):
  • 贼 (zéi) is a more general and sometimes literary term for “thief” or “traitor.” It can encompass both 强盗 and 小偷. While you can call a 强盗 a 贼, the term 强盗 is more specific about the use of force. In modern colloquial Chinese, 小偷 is more common for a petty thief.

• 小偷 (xiǎotōu) - Thief, pickpocket. The opposite of a 强盗 in terms of method (stealth vs. force).
• 抢劫 (qiǎngjié) - (Verb) To rob, to loot. This is the action that a 强盗 commits.
• 贼 (zéi) - A broader, more general term for a thief, burglar, or traitor.
• 土匪 (tǔfěi) - Bandit, brigand. Very similar to 强盗, but often specifically refers to organized gangs operating in rural or mountainous areas.
• 海盗 (hǎidào) - Pirate. Literally “sea robber” (海 = sea), a specific type of 强盗.
• 强盗逻辑 (qiángdào luójí) - “Robber's logic” or “gangster logic.” A common and useful set phrase.
• 暴力 (bàolì) - Violence, force. The key tool of a 强盗.
• 打劫 (dǎjié) - (Colloquial Verb) To rob. “别动，打劫!” (Bú dòng, dǎjié!) is the classic “Freeze, this is a stick-up!” line.
• 绑架 (bǎngjià) - (Verb) To kidnap. Another violent crime often associated with 强盗 or 土匪.