Putting them together, 打人 (dǎ rén) forms a “verb-object” phrase that literally means “to hit a person.” It's so common that it functions almost like a single verb in sentences.
Physical violence, especially in public, is a major breach of social order in Chinese culture. The act of 打人 (dǎ rén) is seen not just as a physical act but as a profound disruption of social 和谐 (héxié) - harmony. Compared to the Western legal terms “assault” or “battery,” 打人 (dǎ rén) carries a similar weight but is more focused on the social shame involved. Getting into a physical fight can cause immense 丢脸 (diūliǎn) - loss of face for everyone involved. It suggests a lack of self-control and civilization. For this reason, public arguments often remain verbal, with both sides aware that escalating to physical contact (动手 - dòngshǒu) crosses a major line. Furthermore, 打人 (dǎ rén) is a crime. Chinese law has specific provisions against assault, and public security cameras are ubiquitous, meaning that acts of 打人 are often recorded and lead to legal consequences, from fines to detention. The phrase “打人是犯法的” (dǎ rén shì fànfǎ de) - “Hitting people is illegal” is a concept taught from a young age.
打人 (dǎ rén) is used in very direct and serious contexts.
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