<p>抢 -  snatch; <strong>vie for</strong>: '抢' emphasizes the 'contesting' nature of 'taking by force'</p>

<p>夺 -  seize; <strong>compete</strong>; deprive; <strong>decide</strong>: '奪' emphasizes the 'possessing' result of 'taking by force'</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Look at the word <a href="http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/55938/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">抢夺</a>  (snatch; seize; take by force; steal):</p>
</blockquote>

<ul>
<li><p>抢 (to snatch) mainly describes the action. If someone is <strong>in the process</strong> of grabbing money by force, we say it is an act of 抢钱, not 夺钱 </p></li>
<li><p>夺 (seize) mainly describes the result. If someone <strong>completed</strong> seizing power from the other, we say it is an act of 夺权, not  抢权 (抢权 imply you are still fighting for the power)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Example with more context:</p>

<ul>
<li>'意图夺权' means you 'intend to seize power'; '意图抢权' means 'intend to vie for power'</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-25T22:16:43.400Z
2019-06-25T22:31:12.623Z
2019-06-25T22:31:12.623Z
Tang Ho
<p>They are defined in a similar way. What is the difference in usage?</p>

<difference>
Difference between words that mean "take by force": 抢 and 夺
# Difference between words that mean "take by force": 抢 and 夺

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-06-25)

They are defined in a similar way. What is the difference in usage?

**Tags:** difference

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-06-25. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

抢 - snatch; **vie for**: '抢' emphasizes the 'contesting' nature of 'taking by force'

夺 - seize; **compete**; deprive; **decide**: '奪' emphasizes the 'possessing' result of 'taking by force'

> Look at the word [抢夺](http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/55938/) (snatch; seize; take by force; steal):

* 抢 (to snatch) mainly describes the action. If someone is **in the process** of grabbing money by force, we say it is an act of 抢钱, not 夺钱
* 夺 (seize) mainly describes the result. If someone **completed** seizing power from the other, we say it is an act of 夺权, not 抢权 (抢权 imply you are still fighting for the power)

Example with more context:

* '意图夺权' means you 'intend to seize power'; '意图抢权' means 'intend to vie for power'


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