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Expressing 'to inflict upon' with 施以 (shīyǐ)
Actions & Events
Manner & Method
Structure
对 + Target + 施以 + Action/Thing
Explanation
The verb 施以 (shīyǐ) is a formal expression meaning "to inflict upon," "to impose," or "to apply to." It is used in literary or formal contexts to describe exerting an action—often negative—upon someone or something. Place 施以 before the thing being imposed, with the target typically introduced earlier using a preposition.
Examples
法院将对犯罪嫌疑人施以严厉的处罚。
fǎyuàn jiāng duì fànzuì xiányírén shī yǐ yánlì de chǔfá.
The court will impose severe punishment on the criminal suspect.
老师不应该对学生施以过大的压力。
lǎoshī bù yīnggāi duì xuéshēng shī yǐ guò dà de yālì.
Teachers should not put too much pressure on students.
他们对敌人施以猛烈的攻击。
tāmen duì dírén shī yǐ měngliè de gōngjī.
They launched a fierce attack on the enemy.