# 咄咄逼人

duō duō bī rén

Aggressively press or intimidate others

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Utter sharp cries and force people back

**Register:** Critical · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe an overbearing manner in speech or conduct.

Firm disagreement alone is not aggression.

## Understanding the expression

The sound of repeated sharp utterances suggests pressure that gives another person little room to respond. In modern use, the phrase describes an aggressive manner: questions leave no time for answers, demands allow no discussion, or confidence becomes overbearing. It focuses on how someone treats others rather than on whether their argument is correct. A person can defend a position firmly while remaining respectful; the criticism concerns pressure and hostility in the interaction.

## Examples

他的语气咄咄逼人，让人难以回答。

### Traditional Chinese

他的語氣咄咄逼人，讓人難以回答。

tā de yǔ qì duō duō bī rén ， ràng rén nán yǐ huí dá 。

His aggressive tone makes it hard to answer.

面试官不该咄咄逼人地追问。

### Traditional Chinese

面試官不該咄咄逼人地追問。

miàn shì guān bù gāi duō duō bī rén dì zhuī wèn 。

Interviewers should not question candidates so aggressively.

她坚持自己的观点，却没有咄咄逼人。

### Traditional Chinese

她堅持自己的觀點，卻沒有咄咄逼人。

tā jiān chí zì jǐ de guān diǎn ， què méi yǒu duō duō bī rén 。

She defended her views without being intimidating.

客户咄咄逼人，前台仍保持冷静。

### Traditional Chinese

客戶咄咄逼人，前臺仍保持冷靜。

kè hù duō duō bī rén ， qián tái réng bǎo chí lěng jìng 。

The customer was aggressive, but reception remained calm.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%92%84%E5%92%84%E9%80%BC%E4%BA%BA)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=62&webMd=1&la=0)

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